Proposal on policies for early retirement for artists and actors reaching the end of age of service in Vietnam

Proposal on policies for early retirement for artists and actors reaching the end of age of service in Vietnam (Image from the Internet)

Proposal on policies for early retirement for artists and actors reaching the end of age of service in Vietnam

According to Official Dispatch 3436/BVHTTDL-VP dated August 13, 2024, addressing recommendations from voters submitted before the 7th session of the XVth National Assembly, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Vietnam received recommendations from voters in Ca Mau province, stating that “For the particularity of artists and performers who undergo long-term training (from 07 to 12 years, some disciplines from 15 to 16 years), often starting from the age of 10 and require giftedness. The performance career span is very short, averaging about 15 to 20 years, with the ages of female artists and performers ranging from 35 to 40 years, and male artists from 40 to 45 years. As they age, their performance ability diminishes significantly, greatly affecting the quality of professional activities in performing arts, especially in traditional art units.

Voters recommend the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Vietnam to propose to the Government of Vietnam to consider enacting a number of policies for public employees and specialized labor in public service providers in the performing arts field. Among these is a policy for early retirement to assist artists and performers who have ‘reached the end of their careers’ to have conditions for career transition and to resolve difficulties for traditional art units by streamlining organizational apparatus and recruiting young, talented artists to promote traditional stages, contributing to preserving national cultural identity.”

Regarding this issue, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Vietnam responds as follows:

Based on Circular 11/2020/TT-BLD-TBXH promulgating the List of arduous, hazardous, dangerous occupations and special arduous, hazardous, dangerous occupations, Section XXVIII of the List acknowledges the following jobs:

+ Labor condition type VI includes: contortionist, base acrobat, acrobatics, and other high-level circus performances.

+ Labor condition type V includes: ballet dance, traditional dance and opera singing; water puppet performers; animal training and performing; circus artists; brass band, orchestra conductor; setting up tents, movable circus tents, exhibition houses; caring for and nurturing animals; musicians in orchestras, bands; making puppets; mobile information of the provinces; folk opera, modern folk opera, traditional opera, cinema actors and professional singers...

Based on the above regulations, the sectors and occupations in the performing arts field listed in Circular 11/2020/TT-BLD-TBXH can retire a maximum of 05 years earlier than the standard retirement age.

During the implementation process of developing the Dossier to propose the Decree on some policies for public employees and specialized labor in public service providers in the performing arts field, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Vietnam consulted with relevant Ministries and sectors, in which the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs provided feedback: “it is impossible to prescribe retirement age by occupation; agencies and units employing should have job position transition policies, retraining, and career conversion suitable to continue utilizing and promoting the experiences and labor of workers”.

Based on the synthesis and absorption of the opinions of relevant Ministries and central authorities, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Vietnam has completed and reported to the Prime Minister on the proposal for the Decree on some policies for public employees and specialized labor in public service providers in the performing arts field (Official Dispatch 2467/BVHTTDL-NTBD dated June 12, 2024), which includes policies on retirement age, currently awaiting the Prime Minister's directive.

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