Decision No. 02/2006/NQ-CP of the Government at the regular meeting of the Government in January 2006

RESOLUTION

Regular Government Meeting in January 2006

On January 23 and 24, 2006, the Government convened its regular meeting for January to discuss and adopt the following issues:

1. The Government heard the Minister of Finance present the draft Decree on the autonomy and responsibility for tasks, organizational structure, staffing, and finance of public service units; and heard the Head of the Government Office report on the consolidated opinions of Government members regarding this draft Decree.

To improve the quality and effectiveness of operations of public service units, on January 16, 2002, the Government issued Decree No. 10/2002/NĐ-CP on financial regulations applicable to public service units with revenue. After four years of implementing the Decree, the results show that it is a correct policy regarding the reform of financial management mechanisms in the field of public services, contributing to enhancing the mobilization and unified management of financial resources; encouraging and creating conditions for public service units to increase revenue, reduce costs, and improve income linked to work efficiency.

Continuing to implement the goal of administrative reform, promoting socialization, maximizing the potential, strengths, and development capacity of public service units, expanding and improving the quality of public service provision to society, the Government agrees to amend Decree No. 10/2002/NĐ-CP towards a stronger shift in operational mechanisms, clearly defining the autonomy and responsibility for tasks, organizational structure, staffing, and finance of public service units.

The Ministry of Finance is tasked to lead, coordinate with the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Government Office, and related agencies, incorporate the opinions of Government members, finalize the draft Decree, and submit it to the Prime Minister for consideration and issuance.

2. The Government heard the Minister of Education and Training present the Project on transferring some semi-public universities and colleges to private status.

Implementing the Party and State's policy on socializing education, from 1993 to now, five semi-public universities and colleges have been established nationwide. During their operation, generally, these semi-public universities and colleges have demonstrated initiative, contributing to meeting the increasing educational needs of the people. However, this model has not effectively mobilized investment from organizations and individuals for school construction and development; personnel, financial, and asset management mechanisms have not been clearly defined between public and private sectors, leading to reliance on state support and subsidies.

Based on the 2005 Education Law, semi-public universities and colleges need to be converted to private status to form dynamic, autonomous higher education institutions capable of strongly mobilizing financial and other social resources. The study of conversion should be comprehensive, consistent with the conversion of semi-public secondary schools, ensuring coherent and unified policies.

The Ministry of Education and Training is tasked to lead, coordinate with the Government Office and related agencies, incorporate the opinions of Government members, finalize the Project, and submit it to the Prime Minister for approval.

3. The Government heard the Minister of Finance present the Draft Law on Tax Administration, the Chairman of the Sports Committee present the Draft Law on Physical Culture and Sports, the Minister of Science and Technology present the Draft Law on Technology Transfer; the Minister of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs present the Draft Law Amending and Supplementing Certain Provisions of the Labor Code and the Draft Law on Vocational Training; and heard the Head of the Government Office report on the consolidated opinions of Government members regarding these Draft Laws.

In recent years, along with tax policy provisions, tax administration provisions have always been included collectively in various tax laws, resulting in insufficient and unclear specific elaboration, leading to many limitations in complying with tax laws and implementing measures to prevent tax law violations and combat tax evasion. The Tax Administration Law aims to establish a concrete, coherent, and unified legal framework for current tax administration.

The Ministry of Finance is tasked to lead, coordinate with the Government Office, the Ministry of Justice, and related agencies, incorporate the opinions of Government members, finalize the Draft Law on Tax Administration; the Minister of Finance, acting on behalf of the Prime Minister, will submit this Draft Law to the Standing Committee of the National Assembly.

b) The Government agrees that the amendment and supplementation of certain provisions of the Labor Code this time will only modify the contents of Chapter XIV of the Labor Code related to strikes and strike resolution in accordance with the spirit of Resolution No. 49/2005/QH11 of the 11th National Assembly. The amendments must clearly define the rights, obligations, and legal responsibilities of labor collectives, grassroots trade union committees, employers before and during strikes; the responsibilities of state agencies, trade unions, and employer representatives regarding strikes.

The Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs is tasked to lead, coordinate with the Government Office, the Ministry of Justice, and related agencies, incorporate the opinions of Government members, finalize the Draft Law Amending and Supplementing Certain Provisions of the Labor Code; the Minister of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, acting on behalf of the Prime Minister, will submit this Draft Law to the Standing Committee of the National Assembly.

c) Vocational training is an activity of great importance to the country's economic and social development, contributing to job creation, poverty reduction, labor structure transformation, and meeting the demand for skilled human resources for the country's industrialization and modernization. Establishing a coherent and unified legal system for vocational training is essential to promote vocational training activities and contribute to achieving the economic and social development goals set by the Party and the State.

Direct the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs to lead, coordinate with the Government Office, the Ministry of Justice, and relevant agencies, incorporate opinions from government members, perfect the draft Law on Vocational Training; the Minister of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs shall submit this draft Law to the Standing Committee of the National Assembly through the Prime Minister's authorization.

d) The Ordinance on Physical Education and Sports 2000 has created conditions for the development of physical education and sports careers, strengthened the effectiveness of state management, and fundamentally changed society's perception of the value, significance, and importance of physical education and sports in social life. However, to meet new goals and tasks in line with current domestic realities and international integration, the Ordinance needs to be revised and elevated to a Law.

Direct the Sports Management Committee to lead, coordinate with the Government Office, the Ministry of Justice, and relevant agencies, incorporate opinions from government members, perfect the draft Law on Physical Education and Sports, and submit it to the Prime Minister for a decision on submitting it to the Standing Committee of the National Assembly.

đ) Technology transfer activities in recent times have made significant contributions to innovation and improving the technological level of enterprises, serving the cause of industrialization and modernization of the country. However, existing legal regulations on technology transfer are still inconsistent and not synchronized, affecting the ability of enterprises to attract and transfer technology. Enacting the Law on Technology Transfer aims to complete the legal system on technology transfer to suit market economic conditions and integrate into the international economy, creating a favorable environment for enterprises to innovate technology and promote the commercialization of scientific research results.

Direct the Ministry of Science and Technology to lead, coordinate with the Government Office, the Ministry of Justice, and relevant agencies, incorporate opinions from government members, perfect the draft Law on Technology Transfer, and submit it to the Prime Minister for a decision on submitting it to the Standing Committee of the National Assembly.

4. The Government will consider the Report on the socio-economic situation in January 2006 submitted by the Ministry of Planning and Investment; the Report on trade situation in January 2006 submitted by the Ministry of Trade; the Report on the results of inspection work in 2005 and plans and tasks for 2006 submitted by the State Inspector General.

The socio-economic situation in January 2006 continued the development momentum of the last months of 2005. Industrial production achieved high growth rates; agricultural production was stable, initial measures were taken to control avian influenza; the service sector continued to develop; export activities were intensified; foreign direct investment increased significantly, especially newly registered capital; although consumer price index rose higher compared to the same period last year, it did not cause price surges due to abundant supply. Health care, people's health care services, and traffic safety showed positive changes. Complaints and denunciations nationwide decreased, but the number of appeals and lawsuits escalated at the central level, many unresolved cases persisted.

The Government observes that in 2006, there will be some difficulties affecting production and people's livelihoods, with complex weather patterns, drought likely to be more severe than the previous year; avian influenza remains a potential threat; prices remain high; wastefulness, corruption, and social evils have not been effectively curbed. To fulfill the socio-economic development plan for 2006, the first year of the 2006-2010 plan, the Government requests ministries, sectors, and localities to promptly complete the allocation of plans to grassroots units, while quickly formulating and implementing the Action Program based on Resolution No. 01/2006/NQ-CP dated January 16, 2006, of the Government on key measures to guide the implementation of the socio-economic plan and state budget for 2006. In the short term, ministries, sectors, and localities should focus on guiding the development of production and business; reducing production costs, stabilizing prices and markets; organizing the implementation of Directive No. 28/TTg-KTTH dated January 6, 2006, of the Prime Minister on organizing a joyful, safe, and frugal Tet holiday.