Decision No. 13/2005/NQ-CP of the Government's regular meeting in October 2005

RESOLUTION

Regular Meeting of the Government in October 2005

On October 29, 2005, the Government convened its regular meeting for October, discussed, and adopted the following issues:

 1. The Government heard the Minister of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs present the national target program on employment for the period 2006-2010.

The Government determined that addressing labor and employment issues is a significant and urgent political, economic, and social task during the period 2006-2010, aimed at supporting job creation, increasing income, improving people's living standards, and promoting sustainable social development. The results achieved under the national target program on employment for the period 2001-2005 have created conditions to release productive capacity, increase social investment for production development, create jobs, send workers abroad, reduce unemployment rates in urban areas, and address job shortages in rural areas, contributing to economic growth, poverty reduction, and hunger eradication.

It is forecasted that by 2010, the workforce will account for approximately 56% of the population; during the period 2006-2010, there will be about 8 million workers requiring job creation, of which over 2 million workers will need support from the national target program on employment. The Government agrees with the proposal to continue implementing the national target program on employment for the period 2006-2010, building upon the previous period 2001-2005. The program must build upon and learn from experiences gained from the implementation of the program in the previous period, innovate management methods, provide targeted and focused support; strengthen socialization in job creation through production development and establishment of more enterprises to create jobs; simultaneously integrate the national target program on employment with other national target programs. Close cooperation between the Government, ministries, sectors, localities, the Vietnam Fatherland Front, and mass organizations is necessary to achieve set goals; emphasis should be placed on directly supporting job creation for rural workers, particularly in regions undergoing land use purpose conversion, older redundant workers, and other groups requiring support.

The Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs is tasked to lead and coordinate with the Government Office, the Ministry of Planning and Investment, and related ministries and sectors to incorporate opinions from the meeting, finalize the draft national target program on employment for the period 2006-2010, submit it to the Prime Minister for approval and implementation.

2. The Government heard the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development present the emergency action plan when avian influenza (H5N1) and human influenza pandemic occur.

Avian influenza and human influenza A caused by the H5N1 virus, which began in late December 2003, has caused significant economic losses, loss of life, and health impacts on our people. This disease is unpredictable, with a high risk of outbreak and potential for human-to-human transmission, which could become a pandemic in our country and many others worldwide. The Government is resolute in proactively preventing and combating the disease to prevent a pandemic.

The emergency action plan when avian influenza (H5N1) and human influenza pandemic occur must clearly demonstrate the Government's and people's determination in prevention and control; specify concrete actions needed, and clarify responsibilities of central agencies, localities, and relevant organizations. Establish a surveillance network from grassroots levels with the active role of the Vietnam Fatherland Front and people's mass organizations, social organizations in prevention and control; mobilize all state resources, people's resources, and international cooperation effectively to prevent and control the disease; intensify propaganda efforts to ensure public consensus with government measures, understanding of risks, proactive prevention and control, while avoiding panic that may affect production and livelihoods.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Ministry of Health are tasked to coordinate with the Government Office and related agencies to incorporate opinions from the meeting, urgently complete the emergency action plan and the Government's special resolution on this issue, and submit them to the Prime Minister for issuance.

3. The Government heard the Chairman of the Population, Family, and Children Commission present the draft Ordinance Amending and Supplementing Certain Provisions of the Population Ordinance; and heard the Chairman of the Government Office report on the consolidated opinions of Government members regarding this draft Ordinance.

The Government agreed to amend Article 2 and Article 10 of the Ordinance according to Option 1 proposed by the Population, Family, and Children Commission. However, to ensure consistency in legal provisions and clarity for implementation, further review and synchronized amendments to other relevant articles and clauses of the Ordinance are required.

The Population, Family, and Children Commission is tasked to lead and coordinate with the Government Office and the Ministry of Justice to incorporate opinions from the meeting, finalize the draft ordinance amending and supplementing certain provisions of the Population Ordinance. The Chairman of the Population, Family, and Children Commission shall submit the draft ordinance to the Standing Committee of the National Assembly on behalf of the Prime Minister.

4. The Government heard the Minister of Transport present the proposal to increase the provisional advance payment rate for construction contracts using government bond funds.

The Government agreed to increase the provisional advance payment rate to 20% for all projects funded by government bonds (including transportation, water conservancy works, etc.). Ministries and sectors are instructed to use these funds efficiently, accelerate project progress, and ensure completion of government bond-funded projects according to plans.

5. The Government reviewed the Report on Production Handover Results, Import-Export, and Investment in October and the Socio-Economic Situation in the First Ten Months of 2005 presented by the Ministry of Planning and Investment; the Report on Trade in October and Forecast for the Last Months of 2005 presented by the Ministry of Commerce; and the Report on Inspection Work in the Third Quarter of 2005 presented by the Government Inspectorate.

In general, the economic and social situation in October and the first ten months of 2005, despite facing many difficulties due to natural disasters, epidemics, and adverse effects of world market prices, still maintained a positive development trend, industrial production achieved high growth rates, agriculture developed and ensured planting schedules, the service sector increasingly met better the needs of production and daily life, exports increased significantly, the trade deficit showed a decreasing trend, foreign capital attracted was quite satisfactory, state budget revenue ensured progress, many aspects of social activities developed positively.

For the remaining months of 2005, there will still be many adverse impacts, natural disasters and epidemics remain latent, production and people's livelihoods continue to face many difficulties. To complete the targets of the 2005 plan, ministries, sectors, and localities need to closely follow the actual situation, strictly and thoroughly implement the solutions proposed in Resolution No. 01/2005/NQ-CP, regular session resolutions of the Government, and guiding documents of the Government and Prime Minister; focus on accelerating the disbursement progress of construction projects, especially those funded by government bonds; improve production efficiency; boost exports; implement comprehensive emergency measures to prevent and control avian influenza (H5N1) and human influenza; implement flexible and prudent monetary policy; manage prices in accordance with market mechanisms and the process of international economic integration, strengthen supervision, combat speculation, and smuggling; closely direct disaster prevention and control efforts; enhance inspection work, resolutely fight corruption, and promote thrift.

The Ministry of Finance and the Government Inspectorate are assigned to take the lead, in coordination with the Government Office and relevant agencies, to develop the Government's Action Program to implement the Law on Prevention and Control of Corruption and the Law on Thrift and Combating Wastefulness, to be submitted to the Government for consideration immediately after these two laws are adopted by the National Assembly./.