Directive No. 01/LDTBXH-CT on Strengthening Efforts to Combat Corruption and Bribery in the Labor, War Invalids, and Social Affairs Sector

DIRECTIVE

On Strengthening Efforts to Combat Corruption and Bribery

in the Labor - War Invalids and Social Affairs Sector

In recent years, implementing the Party's and State's Resolutions and Directives on combating corruption and bribery in state management agencies, the Labor - War Invalids and Social Affairs sector has strictly organized and implemented, achieving initial results. From the Ministry down to localities and grassroots levels, there have been no major serious cases of corruption and bribery. The Ministry has fully disseminated and trained on all state regulations, leading to a significant reduction in cases of corruption and bribery compared to previous years. Some mechanisms and policies have been studied, supplemented, and amended, financial management rules, funds, programs, and projects have been decentralized to localities with strict regulations on management mechanisms. The sector has strengthened inspection and supervision work, promptly discovered and strictly handled according to the law some incidents that occurred, and recovered lost funds for public coffers.

However, corruption and bribery still occur within the sector. According to reports from 53 provinces and cities, in 1996, 33 provinces and cities still had cases of corruption and bribery; the amount of lost funds in some cases reached hundreds of millions of dong, with some places recovering nearly seven hundred million dong through inspections. Additionally, in some areas of work within the sector, cases of corruption and bribery continue to develop, such as in reviewing eligibility for war invalids' benefits, upgrading disability ratings, reviewing programs and projects for borrowing funds to create jobs, and basic construction investments, etc.

To continue implementing the Party's and State's policy on combating corruption in the Labor - War Invalids and Social Affairs sector, protecting the reputation and status of the sector, and contributing to economic and social stability and development, the Ministry requests the heads of units and Directors of Provincial Departments of Labor - War Invalids and Social Affairs to lead the implementation of the following tasks:

1. Continue to perfect policies, systems, and management regulations, especially financial management regulations, to review procedures and files for beneficiaries under management due to some reasons not being thoroughly reviewed. At the same time, carefully examine new files before deciding on eligibility for beneficiaries. Report immediately to the Ministry any issues or inconsistencies in existing policies and systems for timely supplementation and amendment.

2. Direct subordinate units to comply strictly with financial management principles and regulations on materials and funds according to the Budget Law and guiding documents from competent authorities. Programs and projects managed by the sector, assigned by the Ministry or provincial People's Committees to units, must establish strict management regulations and operational procedures that meet objectives, target groups, and achieve high efficiency. Pay special attention to extrabudgetary funds in accordance with financial management principles.

3. Strengthen inspection and supervision work within the sector according to labor laws and the Inspection Ordinance, prioritizing internal inspections at grassroots units, particularly inspecting and supervising expenditure from funding sources outside the state budget to prevent, detect, and promptly and strictly handle any violations. Firmly combat any leniency, avoidance, or cover-up, viewing these as aiding corrupt individuals and treating them severely.

4. Reorganize and restructure personnel in areas and tasks prone to corruption and bribery, such as handling files for reviewing eligibility for benefits and programs for borrowing funds to create jobs, etc. Pay attention to selecting and appointing officials with moral integrity, political resolve, and capabilities commensurate with their assigned tasks.

5. Units from the Ministry to Provincial Departments of Labor - War Invalids and Social Affairs must develop specific programs, plans, and measures to prevent corruption and bribery within their units. Annually, they must commit to not having any cases of corruption and bribery in their units within their areas of responsibility.

Combating corruption and bribery is a difficult and complex task, therefore, unit heads and Provincial Department Directors of Labor - War Invalids and Social Affairs must personally direct closely, implement continuously and regularly to detect, prevent, and promptly handle any incidents, and be responsible for any cases of corruption and bribery occurring in their units and localities. They must frequently report and seek guidance from local party committees and governments, and closely coordinate with relevant agencies.

Unit heads and Provincial Department Directors of Labor - War Invalids and Social Affairs must organize the implementation of this Directive, reporting results on combating corruption and bribery to the Ministry in June and at the end of each year. For cases of corruption and bribery exceeding 100 million dong, the Provincial Departments must immediately report to the Ministry upon discovery.