CIRCULAR

Guidelines for the treatment of individuals contracted by communes to work on forest protectionduring the dry season months

Implementing Directive No. 19/1998/CT-TTg dated April 17, 1998 of the Prime Minister on urgent measures for forest fire prevention and extinguishing, after exchanging opinions with the Ministry of Finance, the Government Organization and Civil Servants Board, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, and the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, guidelines for the treatment of individuals contracted by communes to work on forest protection during the dry season months are as follows:

I. APPLICABLE OBJECTS

1. The subject and scope of application are individuals who are contracted by the Chairman of the People's Committee of the commune to perform specialized forest protection work in areas prone to forest fires during the peak dry season months as stipulated in Point 1 of Directive No. 19/1998/CT-TTg dated April 17, 1998 of the Prime Minister.

2. The determination of the list of special-use forests and protective forests at the headwaters, and other important forests in areas prone to forest fires during the peak dry season months for prevention and control of forest fires shall be specified by the Chairman of the People's Committee of the province after obtaining the agreement of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

II. AMOUNT OF ALLOWANCE AND METHOD OF PAYMENT

1. Allowance level:

The individuals mentioned in Section I above are contracted to work on forest protection with a monthly allowance of VND 300,000. Based on the specific circumstances of each locality, the Chairman of the People's Committee of the commune may sign contracts at higher or lower levels but not exceeding 10% more than the aforementioned allowance level.

2. Method of payment:

The aforementioned allowance is paid monthly and according to the term of the contract during the peak dry season months, with a maximum duration of six months in a year.

III. OTHER REGIMES

1. Individuals currently contracted by communes to work on forest protection who have achieved notable results in preventing and controlling forest fires should be recommended to relevant authorities for commendation and rewards under current regulations.

2. If individuals currently contracted by communes to work on forest protection cause forest fires, they will be subject to disciplinary action, termination of the contract, compensation, or criminal liability depending on the severity of the violation, as prescribed by law.

3. In case individuals currently contracted by communes to work on forest protection are injured or killed while fighting forest fires, they will be treated as follows:

a) They will be reimbursed for medical expenses incurred during emergency and critical care and treatment. After stabilizing their condition, they will be referred for medical examination.

b) Depending on the degree of reduction in working capacity due to injury, they will receive a one-time allowance calculated based on the general minimum wage announced by the Government.

The specific amount of the allowance is as follows:

Reduction from 5% to 30% of working capacity:

For a reduction of over 30% in working capacity, an additional half month's minimum wage will be provided for every 1% reduction.

c) In case of death, the person organizing the funeral will receive funeral expenses equivalent to eight months' minimum wage. The relatives of the deceased will receive a one-time allowance of twenty months' minimum wage.

IV. IMPLEMENTATION ORGANIZATION

1. Based on the content of the guidelines stipulated in this Circular, the People's Committees of provinces and centrally-administered cities are responsible for:

Determining the peak dry season months, key and vulnerable areas prone to forest fires within their jurisdiction;

Issuing guidelines for the Chairman of the People's Committee of the commune to sign forest protection contracts;

Considering and resolving reward, disciplinary, injury, and death benefits for individuals contracted for forest protection;

Allocating and settling accounts for the budget regarding allowances, rewards, disciplinary actions, injury, and death benefits for individuals contracted for forest protection for districts and communes.

2. The People's Committee of the commune is responsible for signing labor contracts and implementing the regimes stipulated in this Circular, while settling accounts for forest fire prevention and extinguishing costs with superior agencies according to prescribed regulations.

3. The funds to implement the aforementioned regimes are included in the annual budget for forest fire prevention and extinguishing approved by competent state authorities.

4. This Circular takes effect from October 1, 1998.

Any difficulties encountered during implementation should be reported by the People's Committees of provinces and centrally-administered cities to the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs for consideration and resolution./.