Working conditions for individuals engaged in scientific and technological activities in Vietnam

Working conditions for individuals engaged in scientific and technological activities in Vietnam (Internet image)

Regarding this issue, LawNet would like to answer as follows:

1. Working conditions for individuals engaged in scientific and technological activities in Vietnam

According to Article 8 of Decree 40/2014/ND-CP, individuals engaged in scientific and technological activities are entitled to the following working conditions:

- To be given favorable conditions in terms of means, equipment, supplies, laboratories, experimental facilities, and other necessary conditions from the regular operating funds of organizations engaged in scientific and technological activities to perform scientific and technological tasks.

- To be considered by the National Science and Technology Development Fund or the Science and Technology Development Fund of the ministries, branches, and localities for financial support to participate in domestic and international scientific conferences;

Publication of scientific and technological results in prestigious international scientific journals; registration for protection of intellectual property rights at home and abroad for inventions and plant varieties, except where the funding for the implementation of the above-mentioned contents has already been included in the budget for the performance of the task.

- To be facilitated by public libraries and scientific and technological information organizations to access information and databases on science and technology to perform their tasks.

- Individuals appointed to first-class scientific or technological titles in public non-business units are supported with funding for the use of national key laboratories when performing scientific and technological tasks using the state budget, unless this funding is already estimated in the budget for the performance of the task.

2. Rights of individuals involved in science and technology activities in Vietnam

Specifically, in Article 20 of the Law on Science and Technology 2013, the rights of individuals involved in science and technology activities include:

- Have freedom for creation and equality in science and technology activities;

- Do on one’s own or cooperate with other organizations, individuals in science and technology activities, signing science and technology contracts;

- Enjoy favorable conditions for participation and implementation of science and technology tasks according to functions of the scientific and technological organization of which one is the member;

- Establish scientific and technological businesses, scientific and technological organizations in a number of fields according to the Government’s regulations;

- Register for participation in recruitment or directly tasked with implementing science and technology tasks;

- Have intellectual property rights protected; transfer results of science and technology activities according to laws on intellectual property and technology transfer;

- Announce results of science and technology activities according to the Law on Journalism, the Law on Publishing and other law provisions;

- Contribute capital in cash, assets, intellectual property rights for science and technology activities, production and business according to laws; receive sponsorship for science and technology activities according to laws;

- Provide consultancy, propose suggestions for the establishment of policies, laws, plans for socio-economic development, plans for scientific and technological development of the state to competent agencies; plans for scientific and technological development of the scientific and technological organization of which one is the member;

- Participate in scientific and technological organizations, scientific and technological associations; participate in activities of training, consulting, scientific and technological conferences, seminars; participate in activities of international cooperation on science and technology;

- Be recognized, appointed to titles as prescribed in Article 19 of the Law on Science and Technology 2013;

- Be entitled to commendation, preferential treatment, supports according to laws;

3. Obligations of individuals involved in science and technology activities in Vietnam

Pursuant to Article 21 of the Law on Science and Technology 2013, the obligations of individuals engaged in scientific and technological activities include:

- Contribute intelligence and talents to the cause of scientific and technological development, socio-economic development, national defense and security;

- Implement signed science and technology contracts;

- Implement science and technology tasks assigned by competent agencies, organizations;

- Register, store and transfer findings from state-funded scientific research and technological development;

- Keep state secrets on science and technology, protect interests of the State and societies;

4. Incentives for individuals engaged in scientific and technological activities in Vietnam

Incentives for individuals engaged in scientific and technological activities are specified in Article 16 of Joint Circular 21/2015/TTLT-BKHCN-BNV-BTC as follows:

- Individuals engaged in science and technology activities are funded by the Science and Technology Development Fund of ministries, ministerial-level agencies, and government-attached agencies (for individuals belonging to public science and technology organizations of ministries and branches), provinces, and centrally-run cities (for individuals belonging to local and non-public science and technology organizations), or the National Science and Technology Development Fund (if the ministry, branch, or locality does not have a Science and Technology Development Fund). Consider providing financial support to implement the following:

+ Participating in national and international scientific conferences;

+ Publication of scientific and technological results in prestigious international scientific journals;

+ Register for protection of intellectual property rights at home and abroad for inventions and plant varieties.

Funds for the implementation of the above-mentioned contents shall only be considered for support when they have not yet been estimated in the budget for performing scientific and technological tasks.

- The level of support expenses for the contents specified in Clause 1, Article 16 of Joint Circular 21/2015/TTLT-BKHCN-BNV-BTC and documents, processes, and procedures for financial support shall comply with the provisions of the Science and Technology Development Fund of the ministries, branches, and localities; National Science and Technology Development Fund.

Ho Quoc Tuan

>> CLICK HERE TO READ THIS ARTICLE IN VIETNAMESE