Labor and Education Policy Effective from Mid-April 2017

1. Salary Regime for National Defense Workers

On February 24, 2017, the Government of Vietnam issued Decree 19/2017/ND-CP concerning salary policies for national defense workers and public employees. Accordingly:

- Salary = Salary coefficient x statutory pay rate (as stipulated by the Government of Vietnam);- The salary coefficient is categorized into 03 types: A, B, and C with 4 groups of subjects, arranged in 10 salary grades. Among these: The lowest coefficient is 2.70 and the highest is 6.65;- National defense workers receive an elevation of 01 salary grade if they consistently complete assigned tasks, do not violate discipline (reprimand or higher), and meet the technical rank standards, provided that:- After 2 years in a salary grade with a coefficient of 3.95 or lower; and- After 3 years in a salary grade with a coefficient above 3.95.- As a principle, no combination of salary grade elevation or category, position upgrading is allowed when transitioning salary arrangements.

Additionally, the Decree also specifies policies on allowances and grants for national defense workers and public employees.

Decree 19/2017/ND-CP is effective from April 15, 2017. Policies under this Decree are calculated from July 01, 2016.

2. Year 2017: Adding More Disciplines and Professions for Intermediate and College Training

According to Circular 04/2017/TT-BLDTBXH on the list of disciplines and professions for level IV intermediate and college training, from April 15, 2017, additional professions are included in some groups of level IV training disciplines and professions as follows:

- For the group of mechanical engineering and technical engineering professions: Add the profession "Aircraft Mechanical Maintenance Engineering" at the College level.- For the group of chemical engineering, materials, metallurgy, and environmental engineering professions: Add the profession of water drainage and wastewater treatment engineering at the Intermediate and College levels.- For the group of performing arts professions: Add professions such as drama - cinema acting, choreography, traditional musical instrument performance, Western musical instruments, vocal music, Piano, etc., at the Intermediate and College levels.

See details in Circular 04/2017/TT-BLDTBXH which annulled Circular 21/2014/TT-BLDTBXH.

3. Regulations on Intermediate and College Admissions for 2017

Circular 05/2017/TT-BLDTBXH issued by the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs, promulgates the regulation on intermediate and college admissions for 2017. Accordingly:

- When determining admission quotas, colleges, and intermediate schools are based on:- The maximum student/teacher, lecturer ratio for each training discipline and profession;- Training facilities and equipment appropriate to the discipline, profession, scale, and training level.- Admissions can be conducted once or multiple times a year. Candidates can register for one or more schools through the admission registration form issued and posted on the school's electronic information system;- Admission application documents include: Admission registration form and valid copies of necessary documents as required and evaluated by each school's admission criteria or examination.

Moreover, the Circular also specifies admission conditions for officials pursuing intermediate or college education.

Circular 05/2017/TT-BLDTBXH is effective from April 15, 2017.

4. Conditions for Concurrent Enrollment in Two Intermediate or College Programs:

The Ministry of Labor - Invalids and Social Affairs issued Circular 09/2017/TT-BLDTBXH, which provides regulations on intermediate and college training programs.

A student may concurrently enroll in 02 programs if they meet the following conditions:

- Submit an application for concurrent enrollment in 02 programs;- The second program's training discipline or profession differs from the first program's;- Have completed the first semester for programs lasting 01 - 02 years, or the second semester for programs lasting ≥ 02 years. The academic results for each completed semester in the first program must be at a good level or higher;- Not currently on a break from the ongoing program, disciplined at the level of warning or higher, or being prosecuted.

Note:

- Students required to adjust their study progress or expelled from the first program will also be expelled from the second program;- Students are only recognized for graduation from the second program if they meet the graduation conditions of the first program.

Circular 09/2017/TT-BLDTBXH is effective from April 26, 2017.

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