What is Working Under Normal Working Conditions?

The term "normal working conditions" is mentioned in many labor law documents. However, up until now, there has not been any document that defines or provides guidelines on how to determine what constitutes "normal working conditions".

According to the provisions of Clause 1, Article 5 of Decree 135/2020/ND-CP (effective from January 1, 2021), if considering working conditions, employees are allowed to retire earlier than the retirement age under normal working conditions in two cases:

- Employees who have at least 15 years of working in heavy, hazardous, or dangerous jobs or especially heavy, hazardous, or dangerous jobs as specified in a list issued by the Ministry of Labor - Invalids and Social Affairs.

- Employees who have at least 15 years of working in areas with extremely difficult socio-economic conditions, including the time of working in areas with a regional allowance coefficient of 0.7 or higher before January 1, 2021.

Thus, while it does not precisely define what normal working conditions are, based on this provision, one can determine that an employee working under normal working conditions is when they do not work in heavy, hazardous, or dangerous jobs or especially heavy, hazardous, or dangerous jobs; and do not work in areas with extremely difficult socio-economic conditions as per regulations.

Respectfully!