Circular No. 08/2019/TT-BLDTBXH guiding the work of competition and reward in the Labor - War Invalids and Social Affairs sector.

CIRCULAR

GUIDELINES FOR THE WORK OF COMPETITION AND REWARD IN THE LABOR, WAR INVALIDS, AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS SECTOR

Pursuant to the Law on Competition and Reward dated November 26, 2003; the Law Amending and Supplementing Certain Provisions of the Law on Competition and Reward dated June 14, 2005; and the Law Amending and Supplementing Certain Provisions of the Law on Competition and Reward dated November 16, 2013;

Pursuant to the Decree No. 91/2017/NĐ-CP dated July 31, 2017 of the Government detailing the implementation of certain provisions of the Law on Competition and Reward;

Pursuant to Decree No. 14/2017/NĐ-CP dated February 17, 2017, of the Government, stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs;

At the proposal of the Director of the Office of the Ministry;

The Minister of Labor - War Invalids and Social Affairs issues this Circular guiding the work of competition and reward in the Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs sector.

PART I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation

This Circular guides the work of competition and reward in the Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs sector (hereinafter referred to as the Sector) including: objects of competition and reward; organization of competition movements, titles of competition and standards for competition titles; forms of reward and standards for reward; authority to decide and present rewards; lines for presenting rewards; procedures and files for requesting rewards; Competition and Reward Councils, Scientific Councils, Initiative Councils; Competition and Reward Funds.

Article 2. Applicability

1. Units under the Ministry of Labor - War Invalids and Social Affairs (hereinafter referred to as units) and units directly under these units; civil servants, public officials, employees and workers with contracts of one year or more at these units.

2. Departments of Labor - War Invalids and Social Affairs of provinces and centrally governed cities (hereinafter referred to as departments) and units directly under these departments; District Labor - War Invalids and Social Affairs Offices of districts, counties, towns, and cities under provinces (hereinafter referred to as district level); vocational education institutions and other institutions registered for vocational education activities (hereinafter referred to as vocational education institutions); civil servants, public officials, employees and workers with contracts of one year or more at departments, district level, vocational education institutions and public officials and workers engaged in labor, war invalids, and social affairs at communes, wards, and towns.

3. Domestic agencies, organizations, and individuals outside the Sector; organizations and individuals of Vietnamese origin abroad and foreign organizations and individuals who have outstanding achievements contributing to the development of the Sector.

Chapter II

ORGANIZATION OF COMPETITION MOVEMENTS, AWARDS, AND STANDARDS FOR COMPETITION AWARDS

Article 3. Forms and contents of organizing competition movements

1. In accordance with the provisions of Article 4 and Article 5 of Decree No. 91/2017/ND-CP dated July 31, 2017 of the Government detailing certain provisions of the Law on Competition and Reward (hereinafter referred to as Decree No. 91/2017/ND-CP), and Articles 4 and 5 of Circular No. 08/2017/TT-BNV dated October 27, 2017 of the Minister of Home Affairs detailing certain provisions of Decree No. 91/2017/ND-CP (hereinafter referred to as Circular No. 08/2017/TT-BNV).

2. Annually, after organizing regular competition movements and competition movements by phases (specialized topics), units send plans for organizing competition movements to the Ministry of Labor - War Invalids and Social Affairs (hereinafter referred to as the Ministry) for monitoring, summarizing, and guiding rewards.

3. Heads of units organize mid-term reviews and summaries of competition movements within their units, implement rewards according to their authority or submit to competent authorities for examination and rewards.

Article 4. Responsibilities for organizing and implementing competition movements

1. The Minister of Labor - War Invalids and Social Affairs (hereinafter referred to as the Minister) launches and directs competition movements throughout the Sector.

2. The Competition and Reward Council of the Ministry of Labor - War Invalids and Social Affairs (hereinafter referred to as the Council of the Ministry), and the Competition and Reward Council of the Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs Sector (hereinafter referred to as the Council of the Sector) are responsible for advising the Minister on competition content, organizing competition movements, and inspecting implementation within the Ministry and the Sector.

3. Competition and Reward Councils at all levels are responsible for advising heads of units at the same level to organize and direct competition movements within their units.

4. Heads of units proactively organize and direct competition movements within their units.

5. Mass organizations coordinate with party committees and governments to organize and promote exemplary models in their units.

Article 5. Responsibilities of units (departments) engaged in commendation and reward work at all levels

1. Based on assigned political tasks, annual and five-year work tasks and targets, coordinate with mass organizations to advise and propose to leadership bodies, party committees, and authorities initiatives and plans to launch competitive campaigns closely aligned with political tasks, key and urgent tasks, with diverse and attractive forms, specific themes and names, clear criteria, practical content, and oppose formalism.

2. Organize the signing of competitive agreements, implement effectively, and combine with urging, inspecting, and supervising competitive campaigns and commendation work within the unit.

3. Advise the head of the unit to organize mid-term and final reviews of competitive campaigns, select outstanding collectives and individuals for timely recognition, honor, and rewards. The identification, cultivation, summarization, and promotion of exemplary models must be carried out consistently from central to grassroots levels.

4. Propose solutions to enhance the effectiveness of competitive and commendation work.

Article 6. Responsibilities of information, press, and publishing agencies under the Ministry

Information, press, and publishing agencies under the Ministry shall proactively coordinate with the Standing Office of the Council under the Ministry, the Sector Council, and relevant units to accurately reflect the results of competitive campaigns; regularly publicize the Party's policies and the State's laws on competition and commendation; identify individuals and collectives with outstanding achievements in competitive campaigns, recommend them for rewards to competent authorities; recognize, honor, and promote exemplary models and good deeds; combat violations of laws on competition and commendation.

Article 7. Registration of commendation titles

1. Continuous registration for commendation: Each year, departments and units shall actively organize individuals and subordinate collectives to register for commendation with specific contents, targets, commendation titles, and concrete reward forms. Summarize and submit the competition plan to the Ministry before March 31.

2. Periodic registration for commendation (special topic): Departments and units shall organize periodic competitive campaigns (special topics), proactively develop plans, organize registration for commendation, summarize, and submit plans to the Ministry no later than 15 days after launching the campaign.

Article 8. Commendation Titles

1. Titles for individuals include: "Advanced Worker", "Commendatory Soldier at the Grassroots Level", "Commendatory Soldier at the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs Level" (hereinafter referred to as "Commendatory Soldier at the Ministry Level"), "National Commendatory Soldier".

2. Titles for collectives include: "Advanced Working Collective", "Outstanding Working Collective", "Competition Flag at the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs Level" (hereinafter referred to as "Competition Flag of the Ministry"), "Competition Flag of the Government".

Article 9. Standards for the title "Advanced Worker"

The title "Advanced Worker" is awarded annually to individuals specified in Clause 1 of Article 2 of this Circular when meeting the following standards:

1. Successfully completing assigned tasks, achieving high productivity and quality (reaching 100% or more of the plan) based on the assessment and classification results of competent authorities according to the Civil Servants Law, the Public Official Law, Decree No. 56/2015/ND-CP dated June 9, 2015 of the Government on the assessment and classification of civil servants and public officials, and Decree No. 88/2017/ND-CP dated July 27, 2017 of the Government amending and supplementing certain articles of Decree No. 56/2015/ND-CP and other related documents.

2. Strictly adhering to the Party's policies, State laws, internal regulations, and rules of the unit.

3. Actively studying politics, culture, professional knowledge, and participating in competitive campaigns and social activities.

4. Having a healthy moral character and lifestyle, a self-reliant spirit, mutual assistance among colleagues, and significant contributions to building a united and strong collective.

5. Scoring between 70 and 90 points according to the prescribed scale (as per Model No. 07 attached to this Circular).

Article 10. Criteria for the title "Model Worker at the Grassroots Level"

The title "Model Worker at the Grassroots Level" shall be conferred annually on individuals specified in Clause 1, Article 2 of this Circular when meeting the following criteria:

1. Meeting the criteria for the title "Advanced Worker".

2. Having initiatives that are solutions: technical, management, operational, or application of technological progress and improvements or new technology to increase labor productivity and work efficiency recognized by the grassroots-level Initiative Council; or having scientific research topics that have been accepted and applied in practice with high effectiveness within the unit; or being a member of the drafting board for legal normative documents submitted to the Prime Minister for issuance, ensuring schedule and quality.

3. Scoring from 91 to 100 points according to the prescribed point scale (as per Model No. 07 attached to this Circular). The ratio of individuals recognized with the title "Model Worker at the Grassroots Level" shall not exceed 15% of the total number of individuals recognized with the title "Advanced Worker" in the unit (with emphasis on selecting individuals who are directly engaged in labor), rounding off any remainder according to regulations.

Article 11. Criteria for the title "Model Worker at the Ministry Level"

The title "Model Worker at the Ministry Level" shall be conferred on individuals specified in Clause 1, Article 2 of this Circular when meeting the following criteria:

1. Having outstanding and exemplary achievements among those who have continuously achieved the title "Model Worker at the Grassroots Level" three times.

2. Having initiatives that are solutions: technical, management, operational, or application of technological progress and improvements or new technology to increase labor productivity and work efficiency recognized by the ministry-level Initiative Council; or having ministry-level scientific research topics that have been accepted and applied in practice with high effectiveness, influencing the ministry and sector; or winning first place in ministry-level or provincial-level seminars or contests; or being a member of the drafting board for legal normative documents (from Decrees upwards) issued, ensuring schedule and quality.

3. The time for conferring the title "Model Worker at the Ministry Level" is the year in which the third consecutive "Model Worker at the Grassroots Level" title is achieved.

Article 12. Criteria for the title "National Model Worker"

The title "National Model Worker" shall be conferred on individuals specified in Clause 1, Article 2 of this Circular with outstanding and exemplary achievements selected from those who meet the following criteria:

1. Having achieved the title "Model Worker at the Ministry Level" twice consecutively.

2. Having initiatives that are solutions: technical, management, operational, or application of technological progress and improvements or new technology to increase labor productivity and work efficiency recognized by the ministry-level Initiative Council; or having ministry-level scientific research topics that have been accepted. These initiatives or topics have been applied in practice with high effectiveness and influence nationwide.

3. The time for conferring the title "National Model Worker" is the year immediately following the second consecutive achievement of the "Model Worker at the Ministry Level" title.

Article 13. Criteria for the "Advanced Labor Collective" Title

The title "Advanced Labor Collective" shall be conferred annually on collectives specified in Clause 1, Article 2 of this Circular when meeting the following criteria:

1. Successfully completing assigned tasks and plans (achieving 100% of the plan or more), with over 50% of individuals in the collective achieving the title "Advanced Worker" and no individual receiving disciplinary action from a warning or higher.

2. Having regular, practical, and effective competition movements; applying information technology and effectively implementing administrative reform.

3. Internal unity, setting a good example in adhering to Party guidelines and state policies and laws.

4. Scoring from 70 to 90 points according to the prescribed point scale (as per Model No. 06 attached to this Circular).

Article 14. Criteria for the title "Outstanding Labor Collective"

The title "Outstanding Labor Collective" shall be awarded annually to units under the Ministry and subordinate units of such units named in the decision stipulating functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the units issued by the competent authority when meeting the following criteria:

1. Meeting the criteria for the title "Advanced Labor Collective".

2. Being innovative, overcoming difficulties to excellently complete tasks, and fulfilling all obligations to the State.

3. All individuals in the collective completing their tasks, with at least 70% of individuals achieving the title "Advanced Worker". There must be an individual who achieves the title "Model Worker at the Grassroots Level", and there should be no individual disciplined with a warning or higher.

4. Scoring from 91 to 100 points according to the prescribed point scale (as per Model No. 06 attached to this Circular).

Article 15. Criteria for the title "Ministry's Flag of Competition"

1. General Standards

The title "Ministry's Flag of Competition" shall be awarded annually to the most outstanding departments and units selected through evaluation, comparison, and assessment organized by the Industry Council and the Ministry Council when meeting the following criteria:

a) Exceeding assigned targets and tasks set by the Ministry and provincial-level authorities (hereinafter referred to as provincial-level authorities) for the year;

b) Leading competition movements initiated by the Prime Minister and the Minister within the scope of the Ministry and the Industry;

c) Having new factors and models for other departments and units to emulate;

d) Maintaining internal unity, actively practicing thrift, combating waste, corruption, and social evils.

2. Criteria for the Ministry's Flag of Competition in the field of occupational safety and health

Awarded to production departments, workshops, teams, and units under various economic sectors, production and business establishments, cooperatives, and production and business units under armed forces (collectively referred to as enterprises) that lead competition movements and achieve outstanding results representing the industry, sector, and provincial level, and meet the following criteria:

a) Annually developing and implementing plans for occupational safety and health in accordance with the law;

b) Assigning personnel for occupational safety and health work or establishing a management unit for such work, clearly defining responsibilities for each level and department in accordance with the law;

c) Having production regulations ensuring occupational safety and health;

d) Strictly adhering to and fully implementing labor protection regulations, health care for workers as stipulated by the law, specifically: accident insurance, occupational disease compensation; accident and occupational disease indemnity; material benefits; regular health check-ups for workers; working hours, rest periods, overtime; personal protective equipment during work; health care for workers, first aid facilities in accordance with regulations and maintaining regular inspections to ensure effective use; occupational safety and health training; declaration and inspection of machinery, equipment, materials requiring strict safety and health standards; periodic statistics and reporting on occupational safety and health work and accidents, occupational diseases; self-inspection on occupational safety and health;

đ) During the year, the enterprise does not cause fatal workplace accidents or injuries to multiple people (except traffic accidents considered workplace accidents under the law);

e) Organizing practical activities to respond to the Occupational Safety and Health Action Month.

3. Criteria for the Ministry's Flag of Competition in the field of vocational education

Awarded to vocational education institutions that lead competition movements in the field of vocational education, representing the industry, sector, and provincial level, and meeting the following criteria:

a) Fulfilling training tasks accurately, with high quality, exceeding assigned targets and tasks;

b) Having teachers, students, and trainees win first, second, or third prizes in provincial-level or higher teaching and competition events;

c) 100% of graduates, with over 70% being good or excellent grades, and more than 80% of graduates finding employment in their trained fields;

d) Having a high-quality teaching staff sufficient in number and properly structured, meeting general ethical standards, and performing well according to job-specific standards corresponding to the appointed rank as stipulated in Circular No. 03/2018/TT-BLDTBXH dated June 15, 2018, issued by the Minister detailing job-specific standards for vocational education professionals.

At least 20% of teachers must meet Class A standards, and 50% must meet Class B standards as stipulated in Circular No. 08/2017/TT-BLDTBXH dated March 10, 2017, issued by the Minister detailing professional standards for vocational education teachers.

đ) Applying scientific and technological advancements in teaching; 70% of training programs are linked to enterprises for practical training; building good infrastructure to meet training requirements.

Chapter III

FORMS AND CRITERIA FOR RECOGNITION AND REWARD

Article 16. Forms of rewards

1. The forms of state-level rewards are prescribed from Clause 1 to Clause 4 of Article 8 of the Law on Competition and Rewards 2003, including: various types of Orders; various types of Medals; national honorary titles; "Ho Chi Minh Prize", "State Prize" and Certificates of Merit from the Prime Minister.

2. The forms of rewards at the Ministry level include: Commemorative Medal "For the Labor - War Invalids and Social Affairs Cause"; Commemorative Medal "For the Vocational Education Cause"; Certificate of Merit from the Minister of Labor - War Invalids and Social Affairs (hereinafter referred to as Certificate of Merit from the Minister).

3. The forms of rewards at the grassroots level include: Certificate of Merit from the head of units under the Ministry (having legal personality, having separate accounts and seals).

Article 17. Standards for state-level rewards

1. The standards for awarding Orders of various types, Friendship Medals, and Certificates of Merit from the Prime Minister shall be implemented according to the provisions of the Law on Competition and Rewards, Articles 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 22, 23, 24, 32, 33, 36, and Article 38 of Decree 91/2017/ND-CP and guiding documents.

2. The standards for national honorary titles, "Ho Chi Minh Prize", "State Prize" shall be implemented according to the provisions of the Law on Competition and Rewards and guiding documents.

Article 18. Standards for awarding Certificates of Merit from the Minister to individuals

The Certificate of Merit from the Minister is awarded to individuals who exemplarily implement Party policies, State laws, internal regulations of their units, or stand out in competition campaigns launched by the Ministry, or have outstanding achievements with significant impact in the labor, war invalids, and social fields, and meet one of the following criteria:

1. Regular rewards at year-end summary:

a) Successfully completing work plans and assigned tasks (based on the assessment and classification results of competent authorities according to the Civil Servants Law, Public Officials Law, and related documents) and fulfilling civic duties;

b) Having two consecutive years of outstanding performance, during which at least two initiatives recognized by the Scientific Council (or Initiative Council) of the unit were applied in practice and yielded practical benefits.

2. Campaign-specific rewards: Achieving outstanding results in campaign-specific competitions organized annually by the Ministry.

3. Special rewards: Achieving outstanding special achievements with significant impact in the labor, war invalids, and social fields.

4. Long-term contribution rewards: Individuals who consistently perform well until retirement and have not been awarded a Certificate of Merit from the Minister in the five years prior to retirement may be considered for such awards.

5. In a given year, only one Certificate of Merit from the Minister can be proposed. For individuals who receive a state-level reward form in a given year, they will not be proposed for a Certificate of Merit from the Minister in that year and the following year, except in cases of special rewards.

Article 19. Standards for awarding Certificates of Merit from the Minister to groups

The Certificate of Merit from the Minister is awarded to groups that exemplarily implement Party policies, State laws, maintain internal unity, or stand out in competition campaigns launched by the Ministry, or have outstanding achievements with significant impact in the labor, war invalids, and social fields, and meet one of the following criteria:

1. Regular rewards at year-end summary: Having two consecutive years of outstanding performance (completing 100% of assigned tasks, including those completed ahead of schedule and of high quality; 100% of group members complete their tasks, over 70% achieve the title of "Advanced Worker"; implementing democratic regulations, organizing good competition campaigns; caring for the material and spiritual life of group members; practicing thrift; fully implementing legal systems and policies and obligations to the State; no member has been disciplined with a warning or higher penalty.

2. Campaign-specific rewards: Achieving outstanding results in campaign-specific competitions organized annually by the Ministry.

3. Special rewards: Achieving outstanding special achievements with significant impact in the labor, war invalids, and social fields.

4. In a given year, only one Certificate of Merit from the Minister can be proposed. For groups that receive a state-level reward form in a given year, they will not be proposed for a Certificate of Merit from the Minister in that year and the following year, except in cases of special rewards.

Article 20. Criteria for awarding Certificates of Merit by the Minister in various fields

The Certificate of Merit by the Minister shall be awarded to individuals or groups who serve as exemplary models in implementing the Party's guidelines and policies, State laws, internal regulations of units and the Ministry, or who stand out in competition movements initiated by the Ministry, or who have outstanding achievements with significant impact in the labor, war invalids, and social sectors and meet one of the following criteria:

1. Labor and salary field

a) Individuals: Comply well with legal provisions or propose initiatives to enhance the effectiveness of state management work or apply scientific and technological progress to improve the implementation of labor and salary laws and labor relations; build harmonious, stable, and progressive labor relations within enterprises.

b) Groups: Fully and promptly implement labor and salary policies for workers; establish harmonious, stable, and progressive labor relations within the unit; effectively implement government programs, policies, and projects; provide information, data, and reports on specialized areas as required, ensuring timeliness and effectiveness.

2. Employment field

a) Individuals: Successfully complete tasks; comply with legal provisions regarding job introduction activities or propose improvements to working procedures, applying scientific and technological progress to enhance the effectiveness of job introduction activities.

b) Groups: Exceed annual plans; comply with legal provisions regarding job introduction activities; propose improvements to working procedures, creating new jobs and providing stable income for workers; propose solutions to increase labor productivity or achieve outstanding results in employment.

3. Vocational education field (excluding teacher training)

a) Individuals: Achieve outstanding results in vocational competitions, develop training programs, or win awards at vocational equipment self-made competitions, vocational teaching competitions, and national, ASEAN, and world skill contests.

b) Groups: Meet the standards stipulated in Clause 3, Article 15 of this Circular and continuously achieve outstanding results for two years or more, implementing training according to objectives, with quality and high efficiency. Groups that excel in organizing vocational competitions, developing training programs, and vocational education, or having many individuals win awards at vocational equipment self-made competitions, vocational teaching competitions, and national, ASEAN, and world skill contests.

4. Field of Vietnamese workers going abroad under contracts

Individuals and groups who achieve outstanding results in the field of sending Vietnamese workers abroad such as consolidating, exploiting, expanding, and developing overseas labor markets; managing and protecting the legitimate rights and interests of Vietnamese workers and businesses sending Vietnamese workers abroad under contracts.

5. Social insurance field

Individuals and groups who achieve notable results in social insurance competitions or outstanding results in the social insurance field, specifically: Comply fully with legal provisions on social insurance for two consecutive years or more; implement or participate in other forms of social insurance for workers; propose initiatives to build social insurance policies and apply scientific and technological progress to enhance the effectiveness of social insurance policies.

6. Occupational safety and health field

a) Individuals: Comply with internal rules, procedures, and regulations on occupational safety and health, preventing technical accidents causing loss of safety, hygiene, or causing multiple injuries or deaths from workplace accidents; propose plans and measures to implement occupational safety and health regulations; propose technical improvements to enhance working conditions and prevent workplace accidents and occupational diseases; achieve outstanding results in occupational safety and health competitions.

b) Groups: Meet the standards stipulated in Clause 2, Article 15 of this Circular and the Occupational Safety and Health Law. In two years (up to the time of awarding), no workplace accidents resulting in death or multiple injuries occur.

7. War invalids and martyrs' families field

a) Individuals and groups: Achieve outstanding results in "Repaying Gratitude" and "Remembering the Source" movements or in implementing preferential policies for those who contributed to the revolution.

b) Recipients are those who contributed to the revolution: Overcome difficulties to achieve outstanding results in labor, production, study, and work.

8. Social assistance field

a) Individuals: Achieve outstanding and notable results in social assistance work, social work, poverty reduction; care for beneficiaries of social assistance, the elderly, people with disabilities, children in special circumstances...; contribute financially or materially to social assistance beneficiaries for two consecutive years or more.

b) Provincial-level groups: For two consecutive years or more, fully and promptly implement policies and support for social assistance beneficiaries, poor households, near-poor households, newly escaped poor households; the poverty rate decreases annually exceeding the target set by the Government according to the national poverty standard or provincial poverty standard at each stage; emergency assistance is timely, correct, and appropriate; effectively implement government programs, policies, and projects; provide information, data, and reports on social assistance and poverty reduction work in a timely manner, ensuring quality.

c) Social assistance facilities: Achieve outstanding and notable results continuously for two years or more in social assistance activities.

9. Children's field

a) Individual: Achieved outstanding achievements in mass movements and in fulfilling tasks related to children; made outstanding achievements in implementing laws, policies, programs, projects, plans with a duration of two years or more, or made outstanding achievements in protecting and caring for children.

b) Group: Made outstanding achievements continuously for two years or more in protecting and caring for children.

10. Field of Prevention and Combating Social Evils

a) Individual: Proposed many initiatives in work and new policies, continuously completed outstandingly assigned tasks for two years or more, or made outstanding achievements in preventing and combating prostitution, drug rehabilitation, and supporting victims who have returned from being trafficked.

b) Group: Fully and excellently completed assigned tasks, proactively advised competent authorities to issue new policies, continuously completed outstandingly assigned tasks for two years or more, or made outstanding achievements in the field of preventing and combating prostitution, drug rehabilitation, and supporting victims who have returned from being trafficked.

11. Field of Gender Equality

a) Individual: Achieved outstanding achievements recognized in mass movements promoting gender equality and the advancement of women.

b) Group: Made outstanding achievements continuously for two years or more in implementing laws, policies, and programs on gender equality and the advancement of women.

12. Field of Inspection; Supervision; Handling Complaints and Petitions and Combating Corruption

Individuals and groups recognized for outstanding achievements in mass movements or made outstanding achievements in inspection work, receiving citizens, handling complaints and petitions, and combating corruption in labor, war invalids, and social fields.

Article 21. Criteria for Awarding Certificates of Merit by the Minister on the Occasion of the Anniversary Day (10 Years) of the Unit

The Certificate of Merit by the Minister shall be awarded to individuals and groups who serve as exemplary models in implementing Party guidelines, State policies and laws, internal regulations of the unit and the Ministry, and meet the following criteria:

1. Individuals

a) An individual who is exemplary, always completes assigned tasks well, actively participates in mass movements organized by the Ministry and the unit;

b) Has been continuously working at the unit for five years or more;

c) Has made significant contributions and achieved many accomplishments, contributing to the development of the unit.

2. Groups

a) Has a history of establishment and development of ten years or more;

b) Internal unity;

c) An exemplary group that always completes assigned tasks well, organizes effectively, and achieves outstanding results in mass movements organized by the Ministry and the unit.

Article 22. Criteria for Certificates of Commendation by Heads of Units

The Certificate of Commendation by the Head of a unit under the Ministry shall be awarded to individuals and groups according to the provisions of Articles 74, 75, and 76 of the Law on Encouragement and Reward, and Clauses 1 and 3 of Article 40 of Decree 91/2017/NĐ-CP.

Article 23. Recipients and Criteria for Awarding Commemorative Medals

1. Commemorative Medal "For the Labor - War Invalids and Social Affairs Cause"

The Commemorative Medal "For the Labor - War Invalids and Social Affairs Cause" is a form of reward by the Ministry to be given to individuals who have made significant contributions to the cause of building and developing the sector. The medal has only one class and each individual can only be awarded once when meeting one of the following criteria:

a) For individuals within the sector: Have worked continuously for fifteen years or more, always completing assigned tasks well, implementing Party guidelines, State policies and laws, and internal regulations of the agency.

For individuals who have worked in the labor, war invalids, and social affairs field in other ministries, agencies, organizations but later transferred to work in the sector, their working time will be combined to calculate their working time in the sector.

Not eligible for awarding to those who retired before August 1995, except if they continue to participate in work or activities related to the labor, war invalids, and social affairs field after retirement (their working time before retirement will be combined with current working time for consideration).

Specifically, key cadres of the sector (Ministry leaders; heads and deputy heads of units under the Ministry; Directors and Deputy Directors of Provincial Departments of Labor, War Invalids, and Social Affairs) who have worked continuously in the sector for five years or more; Heads and Deputy Heads of District Labor, War Invalids, and Social Affairs Offices who have worked in the sector for ten years or more, if transferred to work in another sector, about to retire or have retired, are also eligible for consideration.

b) For individuals outside the sector: Have cooperated closely with the sector for five continuous years or more (or at least one term of service for foreign individuals), effectively implementing systems and policies or making outstanding and exceptional achievements in labor, war invalids, and social affairs work.

2. Commemorative Medal "For the Vocational Education Cause"

a) Recipients: Civil servants, employees, and workers in the state management system for vocational education from central to district levels; vocational education institutions including all three types (public, private, and foreign-invested) under the Vocational Education Law; Vietnamese and foreign experts who have contributed to the development of vocational education work.

b) Criteria for Awarding: The Commemorative Medal "For the Vocational Education Cause" shall be awarded to individuals with good moral character, dedicated to their profession, always completing assigned tasks well, implementing Party guidelines, State policies and laws, and making significant contributions to the national vocational education cause when meeting the following criteria:

Having at least 15 years of direct teaching experience for educators in the vocational education system; at least 20 years for officials, civil servants, public employees engaged in vocational education management from central to district level (including at least 10 years of direct teaching experience at vocational education institutions). Or having at least five consecutive years (or at least one term of service for foreign experts) collaborating with agencies, organizations, units related to vocational education or having outstanding achievements recognized highly by the Minister.

3. Individuals meeting the conditions stipulated in Clause 1 and 2 of this Article but have been disciplined with a reprimand or lesser form of disciplinary action shall only be considered for the awarding of the Commendation Medal after the period of discipline has ended. The period of disciplinary action shall not be counted towards the consideration for the Commendation Medal.

Chapter IV

PROCEDURES AND FORMALITIES FOR CONSIDERING AND AWARDED ACHIEVEMENT TITLES AND REWARDS

Section 1. PROCEDURES AND FORMALITIES FOR CONSIDERING AND AWARDING ACHIEVEMENT TITLES AND REWARDS

Article 24. Procedures for rewarding

1. Reward procedures are carried out in accordance with the provisions of Article 46 of Decree 91/2017/NĐ-CP.

2. When rewarding in batches (specialized topics), fields, or summarizing phases, the heads of units under the Ministry will compile files, review, and submit to the Ministry Council for examination, and then submit to the Minister for awarding or to the competent authority for rewarding individuals and groups based on the proposal of the Department of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs of provinces and centrally-administered cities or relevant ministries, sectors, provincial-level departments, and central mass organizations.

3. Associations that are social-professional organizations operating in the field of labor, war invalids, and society at both central and local levels, under the management of the Ministry, implement reward procedures in accordance with Clause 5 of Article 46 of Decree 91/2017/NĐ-CP.

4. For rewards for Vietnamese individuals working in agencies and organizations with foreign elements, or groups with foreign elements: Departments and units send reports along with lists of proposals and performance reports (according to Form No. 02 attached to this Circular), opinions of security agencies (if any) to the Ministry. The Ministry Office will compile and submit to the Minister for consideration and decision.

5. For external rewards: Departments and units send reports along with lists of proposals and performance reports (according to Form No. 02 attached to this Circular), opinions of security agencies (if any) to the Ministry (through the International Cooperation Department). The International Cooperation Department will coordinate with the Ministry Office to compile and submit rewards according to regulations.

6. For files considering the awarding of the Commendation Medal "For the Vocational Education Cause" stipulated in Clause 4 of Article 25 of this Circular, established by the Department of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs of provinces and centrally-administered cities, relevant ministries, sectors, and central mass organizations, sent to the Ministry (through the General Department of Vocational Education). The General Department of Vocational Education will coordinate with the Ministry Office to consider and submit to the Minister for consideration and awarding.

Article 25. Provisions on formalities and files for proposing achievement titles and reward forms

1. Formalities, files, and quantity of files for proposing national-level awards are implemented in accordance with Articles 45, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, and Article 57 of Decree 91/2017/NĐ-CP, Clause 3 of Article 10 of Circular 08/2017/TT-BNV.

2. Formalities and files for proposing the awarding of titles such as "Outstanding Worker of the Ministry", "Outstanding Worker at the Base Level", "Ministry Flag of Excellence", "Excellent Labor Collective", and the Minister's Certificate of Merit are implemented in accordance with Clause 48 of Article 1 of the Law Amending and Supplementing Certain Provisions of the Law on Encouragement and Reward, 2013, and Article 50 of Decree 91/2017/NĐ-CP: One set (original) including:

a) Report with attached list of proposals;

b) Minutes of the meeting of the Encouragement and Reward Council of the proposing unit. Specifically, for the title "Outstanding Worker of the Ministry", secret ballot results are required;

c) Performance report of the individual or collective proposed for reward (according to Forms No. 01, No. 02, No. 06, and No. 07 of Decree 91/2017/NĐ-CP). Particularly, for the title of outstanding worker at all levels, it must include confirmation from the competent authority regarding the effectiveness and scope of influence of inventions, research topics (according to Form No. 03 attached to this Circular);

d) Rewards for agencies, organizations, and units with obligations to pay state budget revenues are implemented in accordance with Clause 7 of Article 45, Clause 2 of Article 47 of Decree 91/2017/NĐ-CP, and Clause 3 of Article 10 of Circular 08/2017/TT-BNV.

3. Simplified formalities and files for proposing the awarding of the Minister's Certificate of Merit for individuals and collectives with outstanding achievements are implemented in accordance with Article 55 of Decree 91/2017/NĐ-CP, including one set (original).

4. Formalities and files for proposing the awarding of the Commendation Medal: One set (original) including:

a) Report with attached list of individuals proposed for awarding;

b) Minutes of the meeting of the Encouragement and Reward Council of the proposing unit;

c) Performance report for proposing the awarding of the Commendation Medal (according to Form No. 01 attached to this Circular).

5. Reward files should be sent to the Ministry via official correspondence, while also sending electronic versions to the email address: [email protected] (in .doc or .docx format for reports, performance reports; .xls or .xlsx format for lists of individuals and collectives proposed; and .pdf format for other files).

Article 26. Soliciting Opinions on Awards

1. The solicitation of opinions on awards for commendation titles and state-level award forms, as well as the solicitation of opinions from relevant agencies, shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of Article 47 of Decree 91/2017/NĐ-CP.

2. For state-level awards, the Standing Board of the Ministry shall solicit opinions from the Ministry's Council in accordance with the regulations.

3. For ministry-level award forms, the Standing Board of the Ministry shall review the application file based on the achievements and award criteria, and if necessary, organize the solicitation of opinions from related units before submitting to the Minister for consideration and awarding.

4. Within seven working days from the date of receipt of the document from the Standing Board of the Ministry regarding the solicitation of opinions, the individual or unit requested to provide opinions shall respond in writing. After this period, the Standing Board of the Ministry will proceed with the procedures for awarding according to the regulations. The heads of units requested to provide opinions shall be responsible for the contents of the opinions sought.

Article 27. Time of Receiving Application Files, Time for Reviewing Award Application Files, and Announcing Award Results

1. Time of Receiving Application Files for Awards

a) For state-level award forms, follow the provisions of Clause 1, Article 48 of Decree 91/2017/NĐ-CP;

b) For ministry-level titles: "Ministry Flag", "Outstanding Labor Collective", "Ministry-Level Model Worker", and the Minister's Certificate of Merit at the year-end summary, the submission deadline for files is based on the annual guidance on summarizing the work of commendation and rewards issued by the Ministry, and the examination deadline is based on the time and form of the year-end conference;

c) For titles: "Advanced Worker"; "Model Worker at the Base Level"; "Advanced Labor Collective" and Certificates of Merit within the authority of the unit head, ensure that decisions recognizing commendation titles and reward forms are sent to the Ministry's Council before January 31 for monitoring;

d) For the Commemorative Medal "For the Cause of Labor - War Invalids and Social Affairs", the submission deadline for files to the Ministry before August 28 each year or when the unit celebrates its founding day;

For the Commemorative Medal "For the Cause of Vocational Education", the submission deadline for files to the Ministry (through the General Department of Vocational Education) before August 15 each year, the General Department of Vocational Education will compile and send to the Standing Board of the Ministry before September 30;

e) For application files for sudden awards, batch awards (special topics): The files must be submitted no later than 45 working days after achieving outstanding results or after the completion of the batch (special topic) work;

f) For the Ministry Flag in the field of occupational safety and health, it is only awarded during the Occupational Safety and Health Action Month; in the vocational education field, it is only awarded at the end of the academic year.

2. Time for Reviewing State-Level Award Application Files shall be carried out in accordance with Point b, Clause 2, Article 48 of Decree 91/2017/NĐ-CP.

Application files for awards within the authority of the Minister or submitted to the competent authority for approval shall be reviewed within 25 working days from the date of receiving complete files as prescribed.

3. Time for Announcing Award Results

a) Within ten working days from the date the Minister signs the award decision or receives the award decision from competent authorities, the Ministry Office shall notify the awarding unit;

b) For cases where the conditions, standards, and files do not meet the requirements, within ten working days from the date of receiving complete files as prescribed, the Ministry Office shall notify the awarding unit;

c) In cases where the files are not submitted along the correct chain, within ten working days from the date of receipt, the Ministry Office shall return the files to the awarding unit.

Article 28. Procedures for examining commendation titles and award forms

1. Commendation titles and award forms at the grassroots level

The examination and commendation process at the grassroots level shall be conducted concurrently with the year-end review based on the results of the evaluation and classification of officials, civil servants, public employees, and workers, and shall proceed in the following steps:

a) For individuals: Each individual within the unit must self-assess their performance according to a specific scoring scale (as per Model No. 07 attached hereto), and propose appropriate commendation titles and award forms based on their achievements during the year.

Based on the individual's self-assessment results, the unit shall examine, unify the assessment method, and submit to the competent authority for granting commendation titles and award forms.

b) For groups: The head of the unit has the responsibility to prepare a summary report on work, a consolidated table of key indicators and tasks, self-assess (as per Models No. 04 and No. 06 attached hereto), propose appropriate commendation titles and award forms for the unit. The unit shall convene a meeting to review, unify the assessment method, and submit to the competent authority for granting commendation titles and award forms.

2. Commendation titles and award forms at the Ministry level

a) For the title "Outstanding Labor Collective," after receiving all necessary documents, the Department of Commendation and Awards (Ministry Office) shall check the documents, appraise the achievement reports, seek opinions from related units, compile the results, complete the documents, and submit to the Standing Council for consideration, then to the Minister of the Council for examination, and finally to the Minister for recognition;

b) For the Minister's Certificate of Merit and Commemorative Medal, after receiving all necessary documents, the Department of Commendation and Awards (Ministry Office) shall check the documents, appraise the achievement reports, seek opinions from related units, complete the documents, and submit to the Standing Council for consideration, then to the Minister of the Council for examination, and finally to the Minister for decision-making on awarding;

c) For the titles "Ministry-level Flag of Excellence" and "Ministry-level Model Worker," after receiving all necessary documents, the Department of Commendation and Awards (Ministry Office) shall check the documents, appraise the achievement reports, request opinions from the Chairman of the Council to convene the Ministry Council and Sector Council meetings, complete the documents, and submit to the Minister for examination and recognition.

3. Commendation titles and award forms at the state level

After receiving all necessary documents, the Department of Commendation and Awards (Ministry Office) shall check the documents, appraise the achievements, request opinions from the Chairman of the Council to convene the Ministry Council (or seek opinions in writing); complete the documents, and submit to the Minister for the Minister to submit to the competent authority for examination and decision-making on awarding.

Seeking opinions from the Party Committee of the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs shall be carried out in accordance with Clause 4, Article 45 of Decree 91/2017/NĐ-CP.

Section 2. AUTHORITY TO DECIDE AND BESTOW COMMENDATION TITLES AND AWARD FORMS

Article 29. Authority to decide

1. The authority to recognize commendation titles and award forms at the state level shall be implemented in accordance with Articles 77 and 78 of the Law on Commendation and Award.

2. The Minister decides to award:

a) Bestow the "Ministry Flag of Excellence" to departments and units;

b) Recognize the titles: "Ministry-level Model Worker" for individuals under the units of the Ministry; "Outstanding Labor Collective" for units under the Ministry and units under units of the Ministry;

c) Recognize the title "Grassroots-level Model Worker" for leaders of the Ministry and heads of units under the Ministry; recognize the title "Progressive Labor Collective" for groups, and the titles "Progressive Worker" and "Grassroots-level Model Worker" for individuals under units of the Ministry without separate seals and accounts.

d) Award Commemorative Medals to individuals both inside and outside the sector.

e) Award Certificates of Merit to groups and individuals both inside and outside the sector.

3. Heads of units under the Ministry with separate seals and accounts decide to award Certificates of Merit and recognize the title "Progressive Labor Collective" for groups, and the titles "Progressive Worker" and "Grassroots-level Model Worker" for individuals under their management. For units without separate seals and accounts, the immediate superior head of the unit shall examine and award.

Article 30. Awarding Organizations

1. The awarding of commendation titles and forms of reward shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of Article 44 of Decree 91/2017/NĐ-CP.

2. For national commendation titles and forms of reward, upon receiving the decision on rewards, the heads of units shall develop plans to receive them, submit for comments from the Ministry's leadership, and implement accordingly. When there are comments from the Ministry's leadership, they shall cooperate with the Standing Committee of the Ministry's Council to announce and present the awards. The award ceremony should be solemn and preferably combined with the annual work summary meeting, the anniversary of the establishment of the unit, or integrated with other contents to save time and costs.

3. For commendation titles and forms of reward within the authority of the Minister, they shall be organized and presented by the directors of departments and the heads of units in accordance with the regulations.

Chapter V

COUNCIL FOR COMPETITION AND REWARD, SCIENCE COUNCIL, INNOVATION COUNCIL

Article 31. Competition and Reward Council of the Ministry

1. The Competition and Reward Council of the Ministry shall operate in accordance with the provisions of Article 62 of Decree 91/2017/NĐ-CP. The Competition and Reward Council of the Ministry consists of two councils: the Industry Competition and Reward Council and the Ministry Competition and Reward Council, established by the Minister.

a) The Industry Competition and Reward Council is the advisory body for the Minister regarding competition and reward activities for the subjects specified in Clause 2, Article 2 of this Circular. Its members include: the Chairman of the Council is the Ministry’s leader responsible for competition and reward activities; the Standing Deputy Chairman of the Council is the Director of the Ministry’s Office; some members are the heads of state management units under the Ministry. The Industry Council has a secretary and some specialists assisting it.

b) The Ministry Competition and Reward Council is the advisory body for the Minister regarding competition and reward activities for the subjects specified in Clauses 1 and 3, Article 2 of this Circular. Its members include: the Chairman of the Council is the Ministry’s leader responsible for competition and reward activities; the Standing Deputy Chairman of the Ministry Council is the Director of the Ministry’s Office; the members of the Council include: the Permanent Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of the Ministry, the Chairman of the Trade Union of the Ministry, the Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union of the Ministry, and the heads of some state management units under the Ministry. The Ministry Council has a secretary and some specialists assisting it.

2. The permanent offices of the Competition and Reward Councils

a) The Ministry’s Office is the permanent office of the Ministry Council and the Industry Council.

b) In cases where necessary, the Ministry Council and the Industry Council may invite some relevant representatives to attend their meetings. Invited representatives can express their opinions but do not have voting rights.

3. The permanent office of the Council is responsible for advising the Minister to issue decisions establishing the Council and operational regulations consistent with the operational regulations of the Central Competition and Reward Council, and issuing regulations organizing the activities of the competition clusters of departments and the competition groups of units.

Article 32. Grassroots Competition and Reward Council

1. Units with legal personality must establish a grassroots Competition and Reward Council, consisting of:

a) The Chairman of the Council is the head of the unit;

b) The Standing Vice-Chairman is the head of the unit with the function of assisting the head of the unit in competition and reward activities; other Vice-Chairmen and Council members are decided by the Chairman of the Council;

c) The Standing Deputy of the Council is the head of the unit or the head of the department responsible for competition and reward activities of the unit;

d) Members are representatives of the party committee, party organizations, mass organizations, and heads of some other units, decided by the Chairman of the Council.

2. The grassroots Competition and Reward Council operates according to the regulations issued by the head of the unit, performing advisory functions on competition and reward activities; working according to the principle of democratic centralism and deciding by majority; in case of equal opinions among Council members, the opinion group of the Chairman of the Council will be taken.

In cases where necessary, the Council may invite some relevant representatives to attend meetings; invited representatives can express their opinions but do not have voting rights.

3. Tasks of the Grassroots Competition and Reward Council

a) Organizing the launch, directing, guiding, inspecting, urging the implementation of competition movements and promoting exemplary models and good deeds in the management field of the unit, ensuring that the movements develop strongly, widely, correctly, practically, and effectively;

b) Evaluating and selecting outstanding individuals and collectives in the competition movement, submitting to the head of the unit for decision to confer commendation titles and forms of reward within their authority or to higher authorities for reward as prescribed;

c) Summarizing and concluding the competition movements and implementing other tasks assigned by the head of the unit.

4. For organizations without their own seal or separate account, the examination and recommendation for rewards shall be conducted by the head of the unit in coordination with the representative of the unit's party committee and mass organizations.

Article 33. Scientific Council, Initiative Council

1. The Initiative Councils and Scientific Councils at all levels shall be established by the heads of agencies, organizations, and units. The members of these councils at each level shall include individuals with expertise in the relevant fields related to the initiative and research topics, as well as other members.

The Initiative Councils and Scientific Councils at all levels shall advise the heads on examining and recognizing initiatives and research topics that have been applied in practice and have proven effective, serving as a basis for recommending awards of commendation titles at various levels and recommending forms of reward according to regulations.

2. The recognition of the scope of influence and effectiveness of initiatives and research topics for the purpose of examining and awarding commendation titles and forms of reward shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of Article 6 of Circular 08/2017/TT-BNV.

Chapter VI

FUND FOR COMPETITION AND REWARD

Article 34. Fund, Sources of Formation, and Amount of Deduction for the Commendation and Reward Fund

1. The Ministry's Commendation and Reward Fund includes the Commendation and Reward Funds of state management units and public service units.

The Commendation and Reward Fund of state management units as stipulated in this Article comprises the units specified from Clause 1 to Clause 17 of Article 3 of Decree No. 14/2017/NĐ-CP dated February 17, 2017 of the Government on the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry and the National Office for Poverty Reduction.

2. The sources and amount of deduction for the Commendation and Reward Fund shall be implemented in accordance with the provisions of Article 64 and Clause 1 of Article 65 of Decree No. 91/2017/NĐ-CP and current laws.

3. The Ministry encourages organizations and individuals both within and outside the sector to support and contribute to the Commendation and Reward Fund in accordance with the law.

Article 35. Management of the Commendation and Reward Fund

1. The Ministry’s Office shall be responsible for managing the Commendation and Reward Fund of state management units and using it for activities specified in Clause 1 of Article 36 of this Circular.

2. Public service units under the Ministry shall manage their own Commendation and Reward Fund in accordance with the law and this Circular.

3. At the end of the fiscal year, the Ministry’s Office and public service units under the Ministry shall be responsible for compiling and reporting the final accounts of income and expenditure of the Commendation and Reward Fund of the unit together with the annual final accounts as prescribed.

4. The Department of Planning and Finance shall be responsible for guiding units in managing the Commendation and Reward Fund in compliance with current regulations.

Article 36. Use of the Commendation and Reward Fund

1. The Ministry's Commendation and Reward Fund as stipulated in Clause 1 of Article 35 of this Circular shall be used for activities specified in points a, b, and d of Clause 1 of Article 66 of Decree No. 91/2017/NĐ-CP, specifically:

a) Paying cash prizes or accompanying gifts with commendation titles and reward forms within the authority of the President, Prime Minister, Minister, and other cases decided by the Minister upon consideration.

For special rewards in specific fields as stipulated in Clause 2 of Article 24 of this Circular, the head of the relevant field shall proactively submit to the competent authority for decision on the source of funds for the prize money.

b) Paying for printing and making reward items: certificates, templates for Certificates of Merit, templates for Commemorative Medals, boxes for Commemorative Medals, Commemorative Medal badges, flags of the Ministry, and commendation titles within the authority of the Minister.

c) Paying for frames for Certificates of Merit and Commemorative Medals for joint commendation and reward activities of the Ministry.

d) Paying for organizing and directing mass movements for commendation and reward as specified in point d of Clause 1 of Article 66 of Decree No. 91/2017/NĐ-CP.

đ) Paying for special rewards and other expenses serving commendation and reward work as decided by the Minister.

2. The Commendation and Reward Fund as stipulated in Clause 2 of Article 35 of this Circular shall be used for the following activities:

a) Organizing mass movements for commendation.

b) Purchasing reward items.

c) Paying cash prizes or accompanying gifts for commendation titles and reward forms for collectives and individuals of the unit.

d) Paying for other activities related to commendation and reward.

Article 37. Principles for Calculating Awards

The principles for calculating awards shall be implemented in accordance with Clause 2 of Article 66 and Article 68 of Decree 91/2017/NĐ-CP.

Article 38. Amount of Awards and Preferential Treatment

1. The amount of awards accompanying commendation titles and reward forms shall be implemented in accordance with Articles 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, and Article 74 of Decree 91/2017/NĐ-CP, consistent with the ability to balance the Fund's resources as stipulated in Article 34 of this Circular and within the budget estimate assigned by the competent authority.

2. Individuals who are awarded commendation titles and reward forms, in addition to being rewarded according to regulations, shall also be considered for early promotion of salary grades before the scheduled time, sent for research, study, work, and training to improve their professional and vocational skills both domestically and internationally in accordance with the law.

Chapter VII

RECORDING OF FILES, REPORTS, INSPECTION, AUDIT, AND HANDLING OF VIOLATIONS REGARDING COMPETITION AND REWARDS

Article 39. Recording of Competition and Reward Files

The Standing Office of the Competition and Reward Councils at all levels shall be responsible for recording reward files under the legal provisions on recordkeeping to facilitate file searches, resolution of citizens' complaints, or confirmation for beneficiaries when requested.

Article 40. Reporting System

1. Annually, departments and units shall conduct mid-term reviews and final summaries of competition and reward activities and submit reports to the Ministry's Office before June 15 for mid-term review reports and before December 15 for final summary reports. Special reports on external rewards shall be submitted to the Department of International Cooperation.

2. Units that initiate competition campaigns shall organize mid-term reviews and final summaries of these campaigns and promptly submit reports to the Ministry (through the Ministry's Office) no later than 15 days after the campaign review and summary sessions.

Article 41. Inspection and Audit

1. The Standing Office of the Ministry Council shall be responsible for leading and coordinating with relevant units to develop plans to present to the competent authority for issuance of decisions on inspecting and auditing competition and reward activities within the entire sector.

2. Unit heads shall be responsible for developing annual inspection and audit plans regarding organizing competition campaigns and implementing policies and laws on competition and rewards within their management scope.

Article 42. Handling Violations

1. The level that issues reward decisions has the authority to revoke such decisions, strip titles, and recover awarded items and money.

2. The revocation of reward decisions and procedures, files for stripping and restoring titles shall be carried out in accordance with Articles 78 and 79 of Decree 91/2017/NĐ-CP.

Chapter VIII

IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS

Article 43. Effective Date

This Circular takes effect from May 1, 2019, and replaces Circular No. 30/2014/TT-BLĐTBXH dated October 24, 2014, issued by the Minister of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs detailing and guiding the implementation of competition and reward activities in the Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs sector.

Article 44. Cross-References

In cases where referenced documents in this Circular are replaced or amended, they shall be applied according to the replaced or amended documents.

Article 45. Responsibility for Implementation

1. The Standing Office of the Ministry Council assists the Minister in guiding, supervising, and urging departments and units to implement this Circular.

2. Heads of departments and units within their functional, duty, and authority scope shall concretize competition standards and criteria, competition targets, suitable to the characteristics of their units; encourage quantification of targets with grading scales for accurate, fair, and objective reward assessments; organize the implementation and supervision of competition and reward activities within their units.

3. During the implementation process, if there are difficulties, please reflect them to the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs (through the Ministry's Office) for consideration and resolution./.