Circular No. 13/2008/TT-BLDTBXH guiding the implementation of competition and reward work in the Labor - Social Affairs and War Invalids sector.

CIRCULAR

Guidelines for Implementing Commendation and Award Work in the Labor - War Invalids and Social Affairs Sector

Pursuant to the Law on Commendation and Awards 2003 and the Law Amending and Supplementing Certain Provisions of the Law on Commendation and Awards 2005;
Pursuant to Decree No. 121/2005/NĐ-CP dated September 30, 2005 of the Government detailing and guiding the implementation of certain provisions of the Law on Commendation and Awards and the Law Amending and Supplementing Certain Provisions of the Law on Commendation and Awards;
Pursuant to Circular No. 01/2007/TT-VPCP dated July 31, 2007 of the Government Office guiding the implementation of Decree No. 121/2005/NĐ-CP dated September 30, 2005 of the Government detailing and guiding the implementation of certain provisions of the Law on Commendation and Awards and the Law Amending and Supplementing Certain Provisions of the Law on Commendation and Awards;
Pursuant to Decree No. 186/2007/NĐ-CP dated December 25, 2007 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Labor - War Invalids and Social Affairs,
The Ministry of Labor - War Invalids and Social Affairs guides the implementation of commendation and award work in the Labor - War Invalids and Social Affairs sector as follows:

Part 1:

GENERAL PROVISIONS

I. SCOPE OF REGULATION AND APPLICABLE OBJECTS.

This Circular guides the commendation and award work and the objects, criteria, and conditions for granting commendation and awards in the Labor - War Invalids and Social Affairs sector.

This Circular applies to collectives and individuals who are Vietnamese citizens, overseas Vietnamese, and foreign collectives and individuals who have made substantial and effective contributions to the activities of the Labor - War Invalids and Social Affairs sector.

1. Subjects of competition:

a) Collectives and individuals within the Labor - War Invalids and Social Affairs sector: Units under and directly under the Ministry; units directly under General Departments, Bureaus; Provincial Departments of Labor - War Invalids and Social Affairs under central cities, units under and directly under Departments, District and County Labor - War Invalids and Social Affairs Offices (individuals include probationary civil servants, indefinite-term contract employees, and employees with contracts of one year or more).

b) Collectives and individuals outside the sector working in labor - war invalids and social affairs at agencies, units, enterprises under various ministries, sectors, and localities nationwide.

2. Recipients of awards:

All objects specified in Clause 1, Section I, Part I are eligible for consideration for awards if they meet the criteria set forth in this Circular.

II. OBJECTIVES OF COMPETITION AND AWARDS

Commendation and award work aims to encourage and honor collectives and individuals who enthusiastically engage in competitive labor and creativity, fulfill their tasks well, achieve outstanding results, and contribute to the successful realization of development goals in the Labor - War Invalids and Social Affairs sector.

III. PRINCIPLES OF COMPETITION AND AWARDS

c) The granting of competition titles must be based on competition movements; all collectives and individuals participating in these movements must register for competition, set goals, and establish targets; those not registering will not be considered for competition titles.

a) Voluntary, conscientious, public;

b) Unity, cooperation, and mutual development;

c) The granting of commendation titles is based on the results of the competition movement.

b) A single form of reward may be given multiple times to the same recipient; multiple forms of reward shall not be given for a single achievement;

a) Awards must be accurate, transparent, fair, democratic, and timely based on a correct assessment of the effectiveness of the work of collectives and individuals; quality according to award standards is emphasized, not mandatory from lower to higher award levels; achievements obtained under difficult conditions and with a wider impact are considered for higher-level awards; closely combining spiritual encouragement with material incentives;

b) Each form of award may be given multiple times to the same recipient but not twice in the same year for the same content and level of achievement;

c) Ensure consistency between the nature, form, and recipient of commendation.

d) The results of outstanding achievements, achievements in specific fields of work are considered as factors increasing when assessing annual comprehensive achievements as well as achievements in each phase.

Part 2:

AWARDS AND STANDARDS FOR LABOR COMPETITIONS IN THE FIELD OF LABOR, WAR INVALIDS, AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS

I. FORMS AND CONTENT OF COMPETITIONS

1. Forms of organizing competitions:

a) Regular competitions are carried out daily, monthly, quarterly, and annually to achieve set goals, targets, and work programs. Regular competitions apply among individuals within a collective, collectives within a unit, or local units, in groups or competition clusters.

b) Periodic competitions organized according to fields of work are aimed at implementing key tasks and difficult tasks of the unit during each phase or achieving outstanding results to celebrate significant national, sectoral, or unit anniversaries. Periodic competitions must clearly define their purpose, content, start date, and end date.

2. Initiating and directing competition movements:

a) The Minister initiates and directs competition movements throughout the sector. The Ministry's Competition and Reward Council is responsible for advising the Minister on the content of competitions and organizing competition movements.

b) Heads of agencies and units organize the initiation and direction of competition movements within their managed agencies and units.

c) Organizational bodies within agencies and units need to closely coordinate with heads of the same-level units to initiate and mobilize members of their organizations to respond to competition movements, organize competition movements, and ensure that these movements achieve high effectiveness.

d) News and communication agencies of the sector have the responsibility to regularly publicize competition and reward activities; promote and set examples of typical models, good people, and good deeds, encourage competition movements; identify outstanding individuals and collectives in competition movements, and combat and criticize violations.

3. Content of organizing competition movements:

a) Clearly define the objectives, scope, and target audience of the competition, based on which specific targets and contents of the competition are established. The determination of the content and targets of the competition must be scientific, suitable to the practical conditions of each unit, highly feasible, and registered with the Ministry before March 31 each year. The Ministry's Competition and Reward Council will not consider awarding competition titles and rewards to units that do not register for competition or submit registration forms to the Ministry after March 31 each year (according to Form No. 1a and 1b issued together with this Circular).

b) Have creative forms of initiating competitions that fit the situation, emphasizing the promotion of the significance of the competition period, fostering a sense of responsibility and self-awareness among each cadre, civil servant, officer, and worker, diversifying forms of initiating competitions; opposing all manifestations of ostentatious formalism in competitions.

c) Develop plans to implement measures to organize and initiate competitions, monitor the process of organizing competitions, direct pilot projects to draw lessons and disseminate successful experiences among participating entities.

d) Summarize and conclude the movement, evaluate the results of the competition: For long-term competition periods (lasting one year or more), units must organize mid-period summaries to draw lessons; at the end of short-term competition periods (less than one year) or each phase, conduct summaries and conclusions to evaluate results; publicly select and reward outstanding individuals and collectives in the competition movement.

II. COMPETITION TITLES

1. Competition titles for individuals:

a) Advanced Worker;

b) Model Soldier at the Grassroots Level;

c) Model Soldier at the Ministry Level;

d) National Model Soldier.

2. Competition titles for collectives:

a) Advanced Worker Group;

b) Excellent Worker Group;

c) Ministry Flag;

d) State Flag.

3. The granting of competition titles to individuals and collectives is only conducted once a year at the time of annual summary or specialized competition summary.

III. STANDARDS FOR GRANTING COMPETITION TITLES TO INDIVIDUALS

1. Standards for granting the title of Advanced Worker:

1.1. For individuals specified in Point a, Clause 1, Section I, Part I of this Circular (excluding those in the Training and Vocational Education field) who meet the following criteria:

a) Successfully complete assigned tasks, achieve high productivity and quality (achieve 100% or more of the plan);

b) Adhere well to Party policies, state laws, working hours regulations, labor discipline of the agency, demonstrate self-reliance, solidarity, and active participation in competition movements;

c) Actively studying politics, culture, professional knowledge, and vocational skills.

d) Possess good morals and healthy lifestyle;

e) Have worked for at least 10 months calculated under the working system, except for the following cases:

- Attending short-term training courses under one year, if achieving satisfactory academic results and complying with the rules of the training institution, can combine the time spent working at the previous agency/unit to assess the title of Advanced Worker.

- Attending training for one year or more, if achieving satisfactory academic results, then that year is considered equivalent to the title of Advanced Worker for the basis of awarding other competition titles and rewards.

- In case of job transfer, the new unit is responsible for evaluating and nominating the title of Advanced Worker based on the assessment from the previous unit. If the individual has worked for at least 10 months (in the year) before the job transfer decision, the previous unit evaluates and nominates the title of Advanced Worker.

1.2. For individuals in the Training and Vocational Education field who meet the following criteria:

* Successfully complete teaching tasks with high quality and efficiency (achieve 100% or more of the plan); possess excellent professional knowledge and skills recognized by colleagues; have practical and concrete innovations and improvements:

- Prepare lesson outlines and lesson plans;

- Fully convey the content of the course and ensure the teaching schedule;

- Employ appropriate and understandable teaching methods for students to absorb knowledge and practice skills;

- Skillfully and effectively utilize teaching equipment and materials;

- Effectively carry out education and character development for students;

- Participate in compiling textbooks, making teaching aids, models, and building specialized classrooms;

- Win awards in vocational teacher competitions at the grassroots level or higher (if held);

- Student performance in subjects taught by the teacher reaches at least 85% meeting requirements, including at least 30% being good or excellent.

* Possess good moral qualities; actively participate in competition movements, and not engage in social vices. Specifically:

- Having a high sense of responsibility towards work, being modest and simple in lifestyle, trusted and respected by colleagues and students.

- Serving as a model in implementing Party guidelines and State policies, strictly adhering to the school's and center's regulations and contents, not engaging in social vices (such as drugs, gambling, prostitution);

- Possessing a spirit of overcoming difficulties, actively cooperating with colleagues; being a core member of competitive movements, actively participating in social activities and organizations, making significant contributions to building a united and strong collective.

* Actively studying and enhancing knowledge to improve qualifications, specifically:

- Actively studying politics, specialized subjects, vocational skills, foreign languages, computer science, and updating scientific and technological information to serve teaching duties;

- Participating in scientific and technological research activities and applying pedagogical techniques to teaching.

2. Criteria for the title of Model Worker at the grassroots level:

The title of Model Worker at the grassroots level is awarded from among individuals recognized as Advanced Workers by their units and meeting the following criteria: having solutions or innovations to improve work methods, administrative procedures, thereby increasing labor productivity and work efficiency of the unit, or having technical innovations applied with new technologies, recognized by the Innovation Council (or Scientific Council) at the grassroots level.

3. Criteria for the title of Model Worker at the Ministry level:

The title of Model Worker at the Ministry level is conferred upon individuals recommended by their units as Model Workers at the grassroots level and meeting the following criteria:

a) Achieving outstanding results, continuously receiving the title of Model Worker at the grassroots level for three consecutive years immediately prior to the recommendation;

b) Achievements or technical innovations yielding high effectiveness with influence within the Labor - Invalids and Social Affairs sector or Education sector, or teachers winning awards in National Vocational Teacher Competitions or National Self-made Teaching Equipment Competitions (when organized).

4. Title of National Model Worker:

The title of National Model Worker is proposed for individuals recommended by their units as Model Workers at the Ministry level and meeting the following criteria:

a) Achieving outstanding results, continuously receiving the title of Model Worker at the Ministry level for two consecutive years immediately prior to the recommendation;

b) Achievements having national-wide impact or winning awards in National Vocational Teacher Competitions or National Vocational Student Competitions (when organized).

VI. CRITERIA FOR THE TITLE OF COMPETITIVE COLLECTIVE:

1. Criteria for the title of Advanced Collective:

1.1. For collectives specified in point a, Clause 1, Section I, Part I of this Circular (excluding those in the Training and Vocational Education field), the following criteria must be met:

a) Successfully completing assigned tasks and achieving 100% or more of the planned targets;

b) There is a regular, practical, and effective competitive movement;

c) More than 50% of individuals in the collective receiving the title of Advanced Worker, and none of them being disciplined with warnings or higher;

d) Internal unity, good implementation of Party guidelines and State laws, strict adherence to internal rules and regulations of the Ministry.

1.2. For the Training and Vocational Education field, the criteria for the title of Advanced Collective are as follows:

1.2.1 Implementing training according to objectives, ensuring quality and high efficiency, successfully completing assigned tasks, specifically:

a) Completing training targets regarding occupational structure, quantity, and quality, with graduation rates of 85% or higher, including at least 30% excellent and good students;

b) Preparing lecture outlines and textbooks for courses, ensuring sufficient textbooks and other materials for teaching and learning;

c) Innovating training content and methods, regularly disseminating new scientific and technological information to enhance training quality;

d) Strictly implementing regulations in training activities;

e) Constructing specialized classrooms, self-made teaching aids, and equipping teaching facilities;

f) Organizing annual student excellence competitions and teacher lectures with regularity; having teachers win awards in national vocational teacher competitions and students win awards in national vocational student competitions (when organized).

1.2.2 Building a qualified teaching staff in terms of quantity and structure, specifically:

a) Building a teaching staff that is qualified, sufficient in number, and well-structured;

b) At least 70% of teachers meeting standards for vocational schools and at least 50% for vocational centers;

c) Computer skills: At least 75% of teachers at vocational schools and 60% at vocational centers reaching level A or above, with at least 50% at level B for vocational schools and 30% for vocational centers;

d) Common foreign language proficiency: At least 70% of teachers at vocational schools and 50% at vocational centers reaching level A or above, with at least 30% at level B or above for vocational schools;

e) Maintaining regular class observations and participation in annual grassroots-level teacher competitions, with at least 90% of lectures meeting requirements, at least 85% of teachers participating in grassroots-level competitions annually, and at least 20% winning awards, with teachers winning awards in national-level competitions.

1.2.3 Applying scientific and technological progress to teaching, linking practical training with production work, and constructing facilities to meet training needs, specifically:

a) Effectively applying scientific and technological advancements to teaching, collaborating with production and service providers and other training institutions to link practical training with production work to enhance training quality and efficiency;

b) Having adequate classrooms, workshops, training sites, and technical equipment for training, which are updated annually, effectively maintained and utilized.

1.2.4 At least 50% of individuals in the collective receiving the title of Advanced Worker, with at least one individual receiving the title of Model Worker at the grassroots level, and no staff members violating social vices or being disciplined with warnings.

1.2.5. Comply well with the Party's policies, guidelines, and the State's laws; implement well the policies and systems for teachers, staff, and students; build a healthy educational environment, organize school management in an orderly manner, foster a united and strong collective, and perform commendation work effectively. Specifically:

a) Comply well with the Party's policies, guidelines, and the State's laws;

b) Organize a lean and effective administrative structure, manage according to functions and tasks;

c) Ensure security and order within the School and Center; take positive measures to prevent and eliminate social evils; have no students involved in social evils; maintain cooperative and united relations, actively participate in local mass activities;

d) Organize educational activities on environmental protection, population, culture, sports, and other movements well;

e) The teaching staff and employees are united, implement democratic regulations well, care about improving living conditions and working conditions for teachers and employees; living conditions for students; conduct self-inspection at least once each academic year;

2. Criteria for the Title of Excellent Labor Collective:

2.1. For collectives specified in point a, Clause 1, Section I, Part I of this Circular (excluding those in the Training and Vocational Education field):

They are outstanding among collectives proposed for the Advanced Worker title by their units and meet the following criteria:

a) Innovate to overcome difficulties, excellently complete tasks, and fulfill all obligations to the State;

b) There is a regular, practical, and effective competitive movement;

c) All individuals in the collective complete assigned tasks, with at least 70% achieving the Advanced Worker title;

d) Have individuals receiving the Model Worker title at the grassroots level and no individual being disciplined with a warning or higher;

e) Internal unity, exemplary compliance with the Party's policies and the State's laws.

1.2. For collectives in the Training and Vocational Education field, they must meet the following criteria:

a) Fulfill training tasks according to objectives, with high quality, achieving high efficiency, and excellently completing assigned tasks.

These criteria are detailed like those for the Advanced Worker title but require higher achievements, specifically: a graduation rate of 95%, with at least 50% achieving good grades.

b) Build a qualified teaching staff, sufficient in number and structured appropriately.

These criteria are detailed like those for the Advanced Technical School or Advanced Vocational Center titles but require higher achievements, specifically:

- At least 80% of teachers meeting the required standards for Technical Schools and at least 60% for Vocational Centers;

- Information technology: at least 80% of teachers reaching Level A or higher for Technical Schools and 65% for Vocational Centers; with at least 60% reaching Level B for Technical Schools and 40% for Vocational Centers;

- Common foreign languages: at least 80% of teachers reaching Level A or higher, with at least 40% reaching Level B or higher for Technical Schools; at least 60% reaching Level A or higher, with at least 20% reaching Level B or higher for Vocational Centers;

- Maintain class observations: at least 95% of lessons meeting requirements, 100% of teachers participating in annual grassroots teaching contests, with at least 25% winning official awards; having teachers winning official awards at the Ministry or provincial level.

c) Apply scientific and technological progress to teaching and practical training linked to production labor, building facilities that meet training needs.

These criteria are similar to those for the Advanced Worker title but require higher achievements.

d) All individuals in the collective complete tasks, with at least 70% achieving the Advanced Worker title; have individuals receiving the Model Worker title at the grassroots level; no teachers or staff violating social evils or being disciplined with a warning or higher.

e) Comply well with the Party's policies, guidelines, and laws; implement well the policies and systems for teachers, staff, and students; build a healthy educational environment, organize school management in an orderly manner, foster a united and strong collective, and perform commendation work effectively.

3. Criteria for the Flag of Excellence Award from the Ministry:

3.1. The Flag of Excellence Award from the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs:

Given annually at the end of the year to outstanding units under and directly affiliated with the Ministry; units directly under the Bureau, General Department; Provincial Departments of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs that excel comprehensively in their tasks and are selected as leaders in their competition groups and meet the following criteria:

a) Exceed targets and tasks assigned from the beginning of the year; be outstanding models of the Ministry and sector;

b) Have new factors and models for others to learn from;

c) Internal unity, actively practicing thrift, complying well with the Party's policies and the State's laws, implementing well internal rules and regulations of the agency and the Ministry.

3.2. The Flag of Excellence Award from the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs is given to collectives with outstanding achievements in competitive movements in their respective fields, specifically:

3.2.1. In the Occupational Safety and Health field:

Awarded to enterprises with new solutions for occupational safety and health and meeting the following criteria:

a) Annually develop labor protection plans that meet occupational safety and health requirements, fire prevention, budget estimates, and effectively implement plans to meet production development needs;

b) Clearly define responsibility regimes for occupational safety and health for each level and position; have dedicated or part-time staff for labor protection, a network of occupational safety and health officers, and an effective firefighting force.

c) Have internal regulations, procedures, various measures, and investments to improve working conditions for employees;

d) Strictly and fully implement labor protection regimes and provisions as prescribed by law, specifically:

- Compensation and assistance for occupational accidents and diseases; material allowances; regular health check-ups for employees; work hours, rest periods, and overtime; provision and regular maintenance of first aid equipment as prescribed;

- Training on labor safety, hygiene, fire prevention, and explosion control;

- Registration and inspection of machinery, equipment, materials, and substances with strict requirements for labor safety and hygiene;

- Reporting, investigation, statistics, and periodic reporting of occupational accidents and diseases;

- Conducting self-inspections on labor safety and hygiene;

- Implementing reporting systems on labor safety and hygiene activities as prescribed;

e) No fatal occupational accidents or injuries affecting multiple people occur within the year, and no fires or explosions happen;

3.2.2. For the Training and Vocational Education sector:

Award collective units that excel in their tasks, representing schools in clusters or regions according to local administrative blocks in the Training and Vocational Education field and meeting the following criteria:

a) Fulfill training tasks according to objectives, with high quality, achieving high efficiency, and excellently completing assigned tasks.

This criterion has specific content similar to the title of Advanced Labor Collective but with higher achievements in each aspect, specifically: a graduation rate of 95%, with at least 50% being good or excellent;

b) Build a qualified teaching staff, sufficient in number and structured appropriately.

These criteria are detailed like those for the Advanced Technical School or Advanced Vocational Center titles but require higher achievements, specifically:

- At least 80% of teachers meeting the required standards for Technical Schools and at least 60% for Vocational Centers;

- Information Technology: At least 80% of teachers must have reached level A or above in vocational schools and 65% in vocational training centers; among them, at least 60% in vocational schools and 40% in vocational training centers must reach level B;

- Common foreign languages: at least 80% of teachers reaching Level A or higher, with at least 40% reaching Level B or higher for Technical Schools; at least 60% reaching Level A or higher, with at least 20% reaching Level B or higher for Vocational Centers;

- Maintaining class observations: At least 95% of lectures must meet the required standards, 100% of teachers participate in annual school-level teaching contests, with at least 25% winning official awards; there must be teachers who win awards at the Ministry or provincial level contests;

c) Apply scientific and technological progress to teaching and practical training linked to production labor, building facilities that meet training needs.

This criterion has content similar to the title of Advanced Labor Collective, but with higher achievements in each aspect;

d) All individuals in the collective unit must complete their tasks, with at least 70% achieving the title of Advanced Worker; there must be individuals who achieve the title of Model Worker at the grassroots level; no staff members violate social evils or receive disciplinary actions from warnings upwards;

Adhere well to the Party's and State's policies, laws, and policies for teachers, officials, workers, and students; create a healthy educational environment, organize school management with discipline, build a united and strong collective, and perform commendation and reward work effectively;

3.2.3. For the Employment, Overseas Work for Vietnamese Workers under Contracts, People with Merit, Child Protection and Care, Social Evil Prevention and Control, Social Assistance sectors, depending on specific circumstances, the Ministry will consider awarding the Flag of Excellence to units with outstanding achievements in each field;

4. Criteria for the Government's Flag of Excellence Title:

Applicable subjects: Units under and directly subordinate to the Ministry leading the cluster or competition group and meeting the following criteria:

a) Outstanding achievements, exceeding assigned targets and tasks at the beginning of the year; exemplary collectives nationwide;

b) New factors and models for the whole country to learn from;

c) Maintaining internal unity, taking the lead in practicing thrift, combating waste, corruption, and other social evils.

VII. PROCEDURE FOR ASSESSING COMPETITION AWARDS AND REWARD FORMS AT UNITS

1. For individuals:

a) Before assessing competition awards, the head of the unit shall disseminate and ensure understanding of the criteria for competition awards and reward forms for all individuals in the unit to know about the stipulated criteria for competition awards and reward forms;

b) Based on the criteria for competition awards and reward forms stipulated in this Circular and the results of individual self-assessment and evaluation before the team, department, or section where they work, members of the collective provide feedback and assess rewards through democratic means such as secret ballot or voting, with the results recorded in the minutes;

c) Based on the results of the Competition and Reward Council meeting, the head of the unit issues decisions to recognize competition awards and rewards within their authority and selects outstanding collectives and individuals meeting the criteria to recommend for higher-level rewards;

d) Rewards for individuals who are heads of units are decided by the next higher level based on the assessment results of the grassroots Competition and Reward Council; when the collective unit does not achieve the title of Excellent Labor Collective or higher, the head of the unit will not be considered for rewards;

2. For groups:

Based on the assessment results of individuals, the criteria stipulated in this Circular, and the process of rewarding to consider recommending for higher-level rewards.

Part 3:

FORMS AND STANDARDS FOR REWARDS IN THE LABOR - WAR INVALIDS AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS SECTOR

I. FORMS OF REWARD

1. Orders:

a) Order of the Star

b) Ho Chi Minh Order

c) Independence Order, First Class, Second Class, Third Class

d) Labor Order, First Class, Second Class, Third Class

e) Order for Bravery;

f) Order for Friendship.

2. Medals:

- Medal for Friendship.

3. National Honorary Titles:

a) Title "Heroic Laborer";

b) Title "People's Teacher", "Outstanding Teacher";

c) Title "People's Doctor", "Outstanding Doctor".

d) Mother Heroine of Vietnam Title

4. High Prizes:

a) Ho Chi Minh Award

b) State Prize.

5. Certificates of Merit:

a) Certificate of Merit from the Prime Minister;

b) Certificate of Merit from the Minister of Labor - War Invalids and Social Affairs.

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

7. Letter of Praise.

II. STANDARDS FOR REWARDS

1. Standards for Orders, Medals, National Honorary Titles, High Prizes, and Certificates of Merit from the Prime Minister:

The standards for rewarding Orders, Medals, National Honorary Titles, Ho Chi Minh Prize, State Prize, and Certificates of Merit from the Prime Minister shall be implemented according to Chapter III of the Law on Competition and Rewards, Chapter III of Decree 121/2005/NĐ-CP dated September 30, 2005 of the Government, and other relevant documents issued by competent authorities.

2. Standards for Letters of Praise from Heads of Agencies and Units (General Departments, Bureaus), Directors of Provincial Departments of Labor - War Invalids and Social Affairs:

2.1. Standards:

a) Collectives and individuals who complete their tasks excellently, achieving at least 100% of the plan, strictly adhering to labor discipline;

b) Internal unity; actively implementing grassroots democracy regulations and organizing competitive activities;

c) Fully implementing policies and laws of the Party and the State, improving the material and spiritual life of all members of the collective; practicing thrift and complying with internal regulations and rules of the agency and the Ministry.

2.2. Standards for Occupational Safety and Health:

The subjects include collectives and individuals of enterprises under various economic sectors, production and business establishments, cooperatives, and units engaged in armed forces production and business (referred to as enterprises), including departments, bureaus, workshops, teams, and production units. 2.2.1. For enterprises:

d) Implementing fully and properly all regulations and provisions on labor protection as stipulated by law, specifically:

a) Annually develop labor protection plans that meet occupational safety and health requirements, fire prevention, budget estimates, and effectively implement plans to meet production development needs;

b) Clearly define responsibility regimes for occupational safety and health for each level and position; have dedicated or part-time staff for labor protection, a network of occupational safety and health officers, and an effective firefighting force.

c) Have internal regulations, procedures, various measures, and investments to improve working conditions for employees;

- Compensation and allowances for work-related accidents and occupational diseases; supplementary benefits in kind; regular health check-ups for workers; working hours, rest periods, overtime; equipping first aid facilities as prescribed and maintaining regular inspections to ensure effective use of these facilities;

- Training on occupational safety and hygiene;

f) Ensuring a clean, green, and beautiful environment.

- Registration and inspection of machinery, equipment, materials, and substances with strict requirements for labor safety and hygiene;

- Reporting, investigation, statistics, and periodic reporting of occupational accidents and diseases;

- Conducting self-inspections on labor safety and hygiene;

- Implementing reporting systems on labor safety and hygiene activities as prescribed;

e) No fatal occupational accidents or injuries affecting multiple people occur within the year, and no fires or explosions happen;

2.2.2. For collectives of departments, bureaus, workshops, teams, and production units within enterprises:

a) Having sufficient plans to ensure occupational safety and implementing measures to organize these plans effectively; strictly adhering to internal regulations, procedures, and norms as prescribed by law and the enterprise;

b) Having active and effective occupational safety officers and hygiene officers;

c) Fully implementing labor protection regulations as specified in point d, Clause 2.1.1, Section I, Part III of this Circular;

- Guiding, inspecting, and supervising the use and maintenance of personal protective equipment, fire prevention and extinguishing equipment, and emergency response equipment;

d) Organizing regular self-inspections on occupational safety and hygiene, promptly addressing risks and incidents related to occupational safety and hygiene;

e) Not having any fatal work-related accidents or serious injuries to multiple people, and not having any fires or explosions during the year.

2.2.3. Full-time or part-time specialists in labor protection of enterprises:

a) Advising enterprise leadership to propose measures to implement fully and properly all legal and regulatory documents on labor protection and occupational safety and hygiene; proposing technical innovations to improve working conditions and prevent work-related accidents and occupational diseases;

b) Successfully completing inspection and supervision tasks on occupational safety and hygiene within their assigned areas; not having any fires or explosions during the year;

c) Maintaining complete records and documents related to labor protection as required;

d) Being well-informed about the quantity and status of machines, equipment, materials, and substances with strict requirements for safety and hygiene; planning and conducting regular inspections, registering machines, equipment, materials, and substances with strict safety and hygiene requirements; reporting on the results of regular inspections and recommending solutions to eliminate risks of work-related accidents and occupational diseases.

e) Participating fully in occupational safety and hygiene training programs as prescribed by law.

2.2.4. Workers in enterprises:

a) Strictly following internal regulations, procedures, and norms on occupational safety and hygiene, preventing work-related accidents, machinery and equipment incidents, fires, and explosions;

b) Using personal protective equipment and fire prevention and extinguishing equipment correctly and effectively;

c) Actively participating in occupational safety and hygiene campaigns organized by the enterprise; identifying and participating in eliminating risks of work-related accidents and occupational diseases;

d) Proposing technical innovations to improve working conditions and prevent work-related accidents and occupational diseases.

2.2.5. Enterprise management personnel:

a) Organizing and implementing well the reward standards for enterprises as specified in point 2.1.3, Clause 2, Section II, Part III of this Circular;

b) Proposing technical innovations to improve working conditions and ensure occupational safety and hygiene.

2.2.6. Heads of Departments, Bureaus, Workshops, Teams, and Production Units:

Implementing well the reward standards for enterprises as specified in point 2.1.1, Clause 2, Section II, Part III of this Circular.

2.3. Standards for Employment Services:

a) For collectives:

Job introduction centers and enterprises licensed to provide job introduction services:

- Exceeding the annual job introduction plan.

- Exceeding the annual plan for job introduction;

- Comply with the legal provisions on job introduction activities;

- Implement democratic regulations at the grassroots level;

- Propose and apply scientific and technological advancements to improve the efficiency of job introduction activities;

- Have no staff violating legal provisions within the year.

b) For individuals:

- Exceed personal annual plan targets;

- Comply with the legal provisions on job introduction activities;

- Propose and apply scientific and technological advancements to improve the efficiency of job introduction activities;

- Not violate any legal provisions.

2.4. Standards for the field of Vietnamese workers going abroad under contracts:

2.4.1. Subjects:

a) Individuals, business entities, and public organizations sending workers abroad under contracts;

b) Individuals (Vietnamese workers and experts working abroad), organizations, units of ministries, sectors, localities, and overseas representative offices of Vietnam;

c) Foreign individuals and businesses with significant achievements in facilitating Vietnamese workers' employment abroad under contracts.

2.4.2. Standards:

a) For business entities and public organizations sending workers abroad under contracts:

- Send at least 1,000 workers abroad annually;

- Strictly comply with current state regulations regarding contract registration, worker selection, pre-departure training, education, and orientation, and provision of workers and experts to foreign parties;

- Fully comply with financial regulations concerning the dispatch of workers abroad under contracts;

- Effectively manage and promptly address all issues arising with workers;

- The rate of workers terminating contracts and those who have completed their contract terms but have not returned home (if any) is below 3%;

- Properly fulfill reporting requirements.

b) For overseas representative offices of Vietnam:

- Make significant contributions in providing market information, achieving positive results in market exploration and opening new markets, and consolidating, expanding, and developing overseas labor markets;

- Actively contribute to managing and protecting the legitimate rights and interests of Vietnamese workers and businesses abroad.

c) For other organizations and units:

- Make positive and effective contributions to facilitating Vietnamese workers' employment abroad under contracts.

d) For foreign individuals and groups:

- Make significant contributions in receiving and utilizing Vietnamese workers;

- Adhere to agreements and protect the legitimate rights and interests of Vietnamese workers.

e) For Vietnamese individuals:

- Achieve outstanding results and make positive and effective contributions to facilitating Vietnamese workers' employment abroad under contracts:

- Fulfill duties and civic obligations well;

- Possess good moral character; unite and set examples in implementing Party policies and state laws;

- Continuously study to enhance professional knowledge and skills.

2.5. Standards for the field of Training and Vocational Education:

The subjects include collectives and individuals who are lecturers and teachers in university, college, and vocational school systems (including vocational training schools).

2.5.1. For collectives:

a) Successfully complete tasks reaching 100% or more of the plan, strictly adhere to labor discipline;

b) Internal unity; actively implementing grassroots democracy regulations and organizing competitive activities;

c) Fully implementing policies and laws of the Party and the State, improving the material and spiritual life of all members of the collective; practicing thrift and complying with internal regulations and rules of the agency and the Ministry.

2.5.2. For individuals:

a) Successfully complete tasks reaching 100% or more of the plan, strictly adhere to labor discipline;

b) Possess good moral character; unite and set examples in implementing Party policies and state laws, and properly follow internal rules and regulations of the agency and the Ministry.

c) Continuously studying to improve professional knowledge and skills.

2.6. Standards for the field of Veterans and War Invalids:

2.6.1. Collectives:

a) Successfully complete tasks reaching 100% or more of the plan, strictly adhere to labor discipline;

b) Internal unity; actively implementing grassroots democracy regulations and organizing competitive activities;

c) Fully implementing policies and laws of the Party and the State, improving the material and spiritual life of all members of the collective; practicing thrift and complying with internal regulations and rules of the agency and the Ministry.

2.6.2. Individuals:

a) Successfully complete tasks reaching 100% or more of the plan, strictly adhere to labor discipline;

b) Possess good moral character; unite and set examples in implementing Party policies and state laws, and properly follow internal rules and regulations of the agency and the Ministry.

c) Continuously studying to improve professional knowledge and skills.

2.7. Standards for the field of Social Assistance:

2.7.1. Collectives:

a) Successfully complete tasks reaching 100% or more of the plan, strictly adhere to labor discipline;

b) Internal unity; actively implementing grassroots democracy regulations and organizing competitive activities;

c) Fully implement Party policies and state laws, improve the material and spiritual lives of all members of the collective; practice thrift, and strictly follow internal rules and regulations of the agency and the Ministry.

2.7.2. Individuals:

a) Successfully complete tasks reaching 100% or more of the plan, strictly adhere to labor discipline;

b) Possess good moral character; unite and set examples in implementing Party policies and state laws, and strictly follow internal rules and regulations of the agency and the Ministry.

c) Continuously studying to improve professional knowledge and skills.

2.8. Standards for the field of Child Protection and Care:

2.8.1. Collectives:

a) Successfully complete tasks reaching 100% or more of the plan, strictly adhere to labor discipline;

b) Internal unity; properly implement internal regulations and rules of the Bureau and the Ministry; actively participate in agency movements;

c) Properly implement Party policies and state laws; propose improvements to the material and spiritual lives of all members of the collective, and strictly follow internal rules and regulations of the agency and the Ministry.

2.8.2. Individuals:

a) Successfully complete tasks reaching 100% or more of the plan, strictly adhere to labor discipline;

b) Possess good moral character; unite and set examples in implementing Party policies and state laws, and properly follow internal regulations and rules of the agency and the Ministry;

c) Continuously study to enhance professional knowledge and skills.

3. Commendation Certificate of the Minister of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs:

3.1. Standards:

3.1.1. For collectives:

a) Excellently complete tasks, having twice consecutively achieved the title of Excellent Collective (before the year of recommendation, not yet awarded a Commendation Certificate from the Ministry based on annual performance); b) Internal unity, properly implement grassroots democratic regulations, actively respond to movement campaigns;;

c) Properly implement Party policies and state laws, improve the material and spiritual lives of members of the collective, and practice thrift;

d) Clean and strong Party organizations and mass organizations;

3.1.2. For individuals:

a) Excellently complete tasks and civic duties, having twice consecutively achieved the title of Outstanding Worker;

b) Possess good moral character; unite and set examples in implementing Party policies and state laws, and strictly follow internal rules and regulations of the agency and the Ministry. b) Internal unity, properly implement grassroots democratic regulations, actively respond to movement campaigns;;

c) Actively study to enhance professional knowledge and skills.

3.2. Standards for the field of Occupational Safety and Health:

a) Meet the commendation standards stipulated in Points 2.1.2 and 2.1.3, Clause 2, Section II, Part III of this Circular.

a) Meeting the award criteria specified in Points 2.1.2 and 2.1.3, Clause 2, Section II, Part III of this Circular;

b) Has been awarded a Certificate of Merit by the Director of the Department of Occupational Safety and Health or the Director of the Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs of centrally governed cities and provinces for occupational safety and hygiene for at least two consecutive years, or has achieved outstanding and exceptionally excellent results in occupational safety and hygiene work.

3.3. Standards for the Employment Field:

- Collectives and individuals who have continuously exceeded their plans to achieve the title of Excellent Labor Collective and Model Worker for two consecutive years and have been awarded a Certificate of Merit by the Employment Bureau.

- Have management initiatives or scientific research topics applied in labor, production, and business operations to attract new jobs and provide stable income for workers, or initiatives to increase labor productivity and quality, train and improve workers' skills, or have achieved outstanding and exceptional results in the employment field and have been awarded a Certificate of Merit by Ministries, sectors, provinces, economic groups, or state-owned corporations in the labor and employment field.

3.4. Standards for the Field of Overseas Employment:

Collectives and individuals who have continuously exceeded their plans to achieve the title of Excellent Labor Collective and Model Worker for two consecutive years and have been awarded a Certificate of Merit by the Director of the Department of Overseas Labor Management, or have achieved outstanding and exceptional results in the dispatch of workers abroad under contracts, shall be considered for a Certificate of Merit from the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs.

3.5. Standards for the Field of Prevention and Control of Social Evils:

Job introduction centers and enterprises licensed to provide job introduction services:

Collectives that have continuously exceeded their plans to achieve the title of Excellent Labor Collective for two consecutive years and have been awarded a Certificate of Merit, or have achieved outstanding results in the prevention and control of prostitution, drug rehabilitation, and the construction of healthy communities free from social evils.

b) For individuals:

Individuals who have continuously exceeded their plans to achieve the title of Model Worker for two consecutive years and have been awarded a Certificate of Merit, or have achieved outstanding results in the prevention and control of prostitution, drug rehabilitation, and the construction of healthy communities free from social evils.

3.6. Standards for the Training and Vocational Education Field:

3.6.1. Implement training tasks according to objectives with high quality and efficiency, completing assigned tasks excellently.

This criterion has specific content similar to the title of Advanced Labor Collective but with higher achievements in each aspect, specifically: a graduation rate of 95%, with at least 50% being good or excellent;

3.6.2. Build a teaching staff with quality, sufficient quantity, and a balanced structure.

These criteria are detailed like those for the Advanced Technical School or Advanced Vocational Center titles but require higher achievements, specifically:

a) The number of teachers meeting the standards as prescribed: At least 80% for Vocational Schools and at least 60% for Vocational Centers;

b) Computer Science: At least 80% of teachers have reached level A or higher for Vocational Schools and 65% for Vocational Centers; among them, at least 60% for Vocational Schools and 40% for Vocational Centers have reached level B or higher.

c) Common Foreign Languages: At least 80% of teachers have reached level A or higher, including at least 40% reaching level B or higher for Vocational Schools; at least 60% of teachers have reached level A or higher, including at least 20% reaching level B or higher for Vocational Centers;

d) Maintain class observations: At least 95% of lectures meet requirements, 100% of teachers participate in annual school-level teaching contests, among which at least 25% win official awards; there are teachers winning official awards at ministry or provincial-level teaching contests.

3.6.3. Apply scientific and technological advancements to teaching and internships linked to production, build facilities to meet training needs well.

These criteria are similar to those for the Advanced Worker title but require higher achievements.

3.6.4. All individuals in the collective complete their tasks, with at least 70% achieving the Advanced Worker title; there are individuals achieving the Model Worker title at the grassroots level; no staff members violate social evils or are disciplined with warnings or higher penalties.

3.6.5. Adhere strictly to the Party and State's policies and laws; implement policies and systems for teachers, cadres, employees, and students well; create a healthy educational environment, organize school management with good practices, build a united and strong collective, and perform commendation activities well.

3.7. Standards for the Field of Veterans:

Award collectives and individuals who have continuously exceeded their plans to achieve the title of Excellent Labor Collective and Model Worker for two consecutive years, with outstanding achievements in implementing the "Repaying Gratitude" movement and five programs of the sector concerning veterans or beneficiaries overcoming difficulties and excelling in production, study, and work, and have been awarded a Certificate of Merit by the Director of the Department of Veterans for at least two consecutive years or a Certificate of Merit by central ministries, sectors, mass organizations, or provincial people's committees in the field of veterans.

3.8. Standards for the Field of Social Assistance:

3.8.1. For localities:

a) The proportion of social assistance recipients receiving benefits accounts for at least 70% of the total number of social assistance recipients;

b) The poverty reduction rate reaches 10% compared to the initial period;

c) Social relief work is carried out promptly, accurately targeting the intended recipients;

d) Effectively implement government and sector programs and projects.

Care for orphaned children without guardians, abandoned children, severely disabled children, children affected by toxic chemicals, and children infected with HIV/AIDS based on community support, assist the disabled; National Program for the Elderly...

3.8.2. For social assistance institutions:

Reward criteria as stipulated in point 3.2, section II, part III of this Circular.

a) For Collectives:

Belonging to central ministries, sectors, mass organizations, communes, towns, enterprises of various economic components, with outstanding achievements continuously for three years in social and charitable activities mentioned above, and have been awarded a Certificate of Merit by the Director of the Department of Social Assistance for at least two consecutive years or a Certificate of Merit by central ministries, sectors, mass organizations, or provincial people's committees in social assistance work.

b) For individuals:

For entities under the Central Ministries, Departments, Mass Organizations, communes, wards, towns, enterprises belonging to various economic sectors (awarded for phase summary), those with outstanding achievements in supporting and caring for disabled persons, orphans, and other social groups; contributing and supporting financial and material resources for the care of disabled persons, poor people, orphans, disaster victims, flood victims, and accident victims continuously for three years,... have been awarded at least two consecutive years with a Certificate of Merit from the Director of the Social Assistance Agency or a Commendation from the Central Ministries, Departments, Mass Organizations for social assistance work.

3.9. Standards for the field of Child Protection and Care:

a) For Collectives:

For non-industry collectives (awarded for phase summary) with outstanding achievements continuously for three years in activities related to child protection and care, having been awarded at least two consecutive years with a Certificate of Merit from the Director of the Child Protection and Care Agency or a Commendation from the Central Ministries, Departments, Mass Organizations, Provincial People's Committees, directly governed cities regarding child protection and care work.

b) For individuals:

For individuals outside the industry (awarded for phase summary) with outstanding achievements in the field of child protection and care; contributing and supporting financial and material resources, having been awarded at least two consecutive years with a Certificate of Merit from the Director of the Child Protection and Care Agency or a Commendation from the Central Ministries, Departments, Mass Organizations, Provincial People's Committees, directly governed cities regarding child protection and care work.

For the form of awarding a Commendation from the Minister of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs, in addition to the above standards, it is also given to collectives and individuals who achieve outstanding results and are evaluated during annual competition campaigns launched by the Minister of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs.

4. Commemorative Medal "For the Labor - Invalids and Social Affairs Cause":

The Commemorative Medal "For the Labor - Invalids and Social Affairs Cause" has one category and is only awarded once to individuals with an outstanding career in the Labor - Invalids and Social Affairs sector, specifically:

4.1. Recipients:

a) Officials, civil servants, employees, and contractual staff in the Labor - Invalids and Social Affairs sector at commune and ward levels and above.

b) Individuals outside the sector who have made significant contributions to the development of the Labor - Invalids and Social Affairs sector (including both Vietnamese and foreign nationals).

4.2. Standards:

4.2.1. For officials, civil servants, employees, and contractual staff in the Labor - Invalids and Social Affairs sector:

a) Having worked continuously for 15 years or more, with outstanding achievements in their work, good qualities, and public trust.

- Officials and civil servants who have served at rehabilitation centers for war invalids and retired soldiers under the Armed Forces or the Labor - Invalids and Social Affairs sector, social facilities, vocational training schools, and centers managed by other sectors but later transferred to the Labor - Invalids and Social Affairs sector shall be credited with their previous service time when calculating continuous service time in the sector.

- Those currently under disciplinary measures of warning or higher at the time of commendation consideration will not be considered for the Commemorative Medal. After being cleared of disciplinary action, the period of disciplinary action will not be counted towards continuous service time.

- Continuous service time in the sector is calculated up to August 28 of the year of commendation consideration; converted service time is not counted.

- In cases where retirement occurred after August 28, 1995, the date of issuance of the regulations on Commemorative Medal awarding, if they meet the above criteria, the personnel management agency before retirement shall prepare a file for consideration of the award.

- In cases where retirement occurred before August 28, 1995, and continued to contribute to the sector, the subsequent working time in the locality will be added to the continuous service time for consideration.

b) Key officials of the Labor - Invalids and Social Affairs sector (Ministry leaders, heads, deputy heads of subordinate units, provincial Labor - Invalids and Social Affairs Department leaders) who have worked continuously in the sector for five years or more and were then transferred to another sector or are about to retire, and officials from district and county-level Labor - Invalids and Social Affairs departments who have worked in the sector for ten years upon retirement are also eligible for consideration.(at the time of application).

4.2.2. For individuals outside the Labor - Invalids and Social Affairs sector:

a) Having worked continuously for five years or more in collaboration with the Labor - Invalids and Social Affairs sector, achieving outstanding results in fields such as labor and employment, wages, veterans' benefits, social insurance, child protection and care, social assistance, prevention and control of social evils, occupational safety and health, vocational training, sending workers abroad under contracts. These achievements may include regular cooperation, participation in guidance and direction, actively promoting the sector's fields like scientific research topics, innovative initiatives, organizational improvements, construction of technical infrastructure, training of cadres, financial contributions, information dissemination, and publicity, which have been recognized with a Commendation from the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs.

b) Achieving particularly outstanding results.

Part 4:

AUTHORITY, PROCEDURES, FILES FOR AWARDING RECOGNITION AND ORGANIZING THE AWARDS CEREMONY

I. AUTHORITY TO DECIDE ON AWARDS AND RECOGNITION FORMS

1. The Minister of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs shall submit to the competent authority for decision on awarding national titles of Outstanding Competitiveness Fighter, Flag of Government Competition, Certificate of Merit from the Prime Minister, Orders, Medals, State Honorary Titles, Ho Chi Minh Prize, State Prize in accordance with Articles 77 and 78 of the Law on Competition and Reward.

2. The Minister of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs decides on awarding the title of Flag of Ministry Competition, Outstanding Competitiveness Fighter at the Ministry level, Excellent Labor Collective, Certificate of Merit from the Minister, Commemorative Medal "For the Cause of Labor-War Invalids and Social Affairs".

3. Heads of units under and directly under the Ministry decide on awarding the title of Outstanding Competitiveness Fighter at the grassroots level, Advanced Worker, Advanced Labor Collective, Letter of Praise to their respective units and submit to the Ministry for review and submission to the competent authority for awards in accordance with the Law on Competition and Reward.

4. The Director of the Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs decides on awarding competition titles and rewards to collectives and individuals in accordance with the provisions on the line of submission of the Law on Competition and Reward, this Circular, and guidance from the People's Committee of provinces and centrally governed cities.

II. APPLICATION FILE FOR RECOGNITION

1. Line of submission for recognition:

a) Heads of units under and directly under the Ministry, Directors of Departments of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs of provinces and centrally governed cities are responsible for recognizing awards according to point 3 and 4 of Section I, Part IV of this Circular or submitting to higher authorities for recognition of collectives and individuals within their management scope.

b) In cases of recognition within the authority of the Minister of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs:

- For collectives and individuals in the Labor - War Invalids and Social Affairs sector, heads of units propose, the Director of the Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs receives the file, reviews and prepares a report to send to the Ministry’s Competition and Reward Council (civil servants and public officials of the Labor - War Invalids and Social Affairs department and those working in social affairs at communes and wards will be unified by the Chairman of the District People's Committee with the Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs for recognition in accordance with points a and b of Clause 1, Article 53 of Decree 121/2005/NĐ-CP);

- For retired individuals in the Labor - War Invalids and Social Affairs sector belonging to which agency or unit, the head of the unit is responsible for preparing the file and making a document to propose for consideration (for the Commemorative Medal "For the Cause of Labor - War Invalids and Social Affairs");

- For individuals and collectives outside the Labor - War Invalids and Social Affairs sector in localities, the Director of the Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs prepares the file, list and report clearly stating the opinion of the provincial or centrally governed city People's Committee (or the superior management agency) and sends it to the Standing Committee of the Ministry’s Competition and Reward Council;

- For collectives and individuals outside the Labor - War Invalids and Social Affairs sector at the central level, the heads of departments, general directorates, bureaus under the Ministry prepare the file, list and send it to the Standing Committee of the Ministry’s Competition and Reward Council;

- For individuals who are foreigners working in Vietnam, the head of the agency where the foreigner is proposed for recognition prepares the file, list and sends it to the International Cooperation Department for consolidation and submission to the Ministry for consideration (after obtaining opinions from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Public Security).

2. Documentation for the proposal of awards includes:

a) For the title of Flag of Ministry Competition, Excellent Labor Collective, Certificate of Merit from the Minister for collectives and individuals, the application file includes:

- The proposal report for recognition from the unit accompanied by a list of collectives and individuals to be recognized;

- Minutes of the meeting of the Competition and Reward Council of the unit;

- Report on achievements of the collective and individual to be recognized (unified according to Model 1 and Model 2 issued together with this Circular, signed, clearly stating full name and confirmed by the head of the unit), attached with a copy of the Decision certifying the award of the Excellent Labor Collective Title and the Outstanding Competitiveness Fighter at the grassroots level Title; confirmation of research topics, innovations, improvements, and new technology applications by the scientific council and innovation council of the base;

b) For national competition titles and recognition forms, the application file includes:

- The proposal report for recognition from the unit accompanied by a list of collectives and individuals to be recognized;

- Minutes of the meeting of the Competition and Reward Council of the unit;

- Report on achievements of the collective and individual to be recognized and a USB or CD in Unicode or VnTime font size 14:

+ Regular recognition report (according to Model 1 and Model 2 issued together with this Circular), signed, clearly stating full name and confirmed by the head of the unit, attached with a copy of the Decision certifying the award of the Excellent Labor Collective Title and the Outstanding Competitiveness Fighter at the grassroots level Title; confirmation of research topics, innovations, improvements, and new technology applications by the scientific council at the ministry or province level (Model 12);

+ Report on achievements for sudden recognition, thematic recognition (according to Model 6 and Model 7);

+ Report on achievements for conferring Heroic Laborer title (according to Model 4 and Model 5);

+ Report on achievements for recognizing foreigners (according to Model 8);

- Summary of achievements of the individual or collective proposed for recognition;

- Confirmation of completion of state budget payment obligations (for collectives with state budget payment obligations);

- Document confirming compliance with Party policies and state laws at the locality (commune, ward) for individuals who are heads of units or where the unit is located.

The endorsement for recognition of competition titles and recognition forms at the national level is carried out by the Central Competition and Reward Board (Clause 2, Article 53 of Decree 121/2005/NĐ-CP dated September 30, 2005 of the Government).

c) For the title of National Doctor, Distinguished Doctor, implement according to Circular No. 09/2007/TT-BYT dated June 6, 2007 of the Ministry of Health on guiding the awarding of the title of National Doctor, Distinguished Doctor;

d) For recognition based on a long-term contribution:

Implement according to the provisions of Decree 121/2005/NĐ-CP dated September 30, 2005 and other related documents (Model 3).

e) For the award of the Commemorative Medal "For the Labor - War Invalids and Social Affairs Cause", the dossier includes:

- A report or a proposal for consideration and award (model number 9 attached to this Circular);

- A list summarizing achievements for consideration and award (model number 11);

- An individual achievement statement, confirmed by the Head of the unit (model number 10).

3. Number of Dossiers for Award Proposals:

a) For the title of National Model Worker, Flag of Excellence from the Government, Medals, Certificates of Merit from the Prime Minister: 02 sets (originals);

b) For the title of Hero of Labor: 04 sets (originals) and 20 sets (copies);

c) For other titles of excellence and forms of reward within the authority of the Minister: 02 sets (originals);

d) For the Ho Chi Minh Prize and State Prize, implement according to relevant legal documents;

đ) For the titles of People's Teacher and Outstanding Teacher, implement according to Circular No. 22/2008/TT-BGDĐT dated April 23, 2008, of the Ministry of Education and Training guiding standards, procedures, formalities, and dossiers for considering and awarding the titles of People's Teacher and Outstanding Teacher;

e) For the titles of People's Doctor and Outstanding Doctor, implement according to Circular No. 09/2007/TT-BYT dated June 6, 2007, of the Ministry of Health;

g) For the Commemorative Medal "For the Labor - War Invalids and Social Affairs Cause": 02 sets (originals)

4. Time for Submission of Dossiers:

a) The time for submitting finalization dossiers on the work of commendation and reward for the year and proposals for considering and awarding the Flag of Excellence from the Government, Flag of Excellence from the Ministry, Excellent Labor Collective, National Model Worker, Model Worker at the Ministry level, Certificate of Merit from the Ministry, Certificate of Merit from the Prime Minister shall be submitted to the Standing Committee of the Ministry’s Commendation and Reward Council before December 15 of the year proposed for reward.

b) For cases with outstanding and sudden achievements, immediately after achieving the results, the unit responsible must prepare the dossier and submit it to the competent authorities for decision on rewarding.

c) After receiving complete and valid dossiers, the Standing Committee of the Ministry’s Commendation and Reward Council will review the dossiers and achievements of excellence titles and reward forms in accordance with the law on commendation and reward and the provisions in this Circular, report to the Chairman of the Ministry’s Commendation and Reward Council for decision or submit to the Ministry’s Commendation and Reward Council for examination.

For incomplete dossiers, the Standing Committee of the Ministry’s Commendation and Reward Council will notify the submitting unit within 15 working days from the date of receipt of the dossier.

III. AWARDS CEREMONY

1. Principles of Organization:

- Announcing and presenting awards for excellence titles and reward forms is an occasion to highlight good people and deeds and outstanding collective examples, therefore, it must be organized effectively and practically, avoiding ostentation and waste, combined with other contents of the unit to save time and costs.

- The ceremony for presenting Medals, Orders; national honor titles; Ho Chi Minh Prize, State Prize; Flag of Excellence from the Government, Certificate of Merit from the Prime Minister shall be implemented according to the provisions of Government Decree No. 154/2004/NĐ-CP dated August 9, 2004, regarding state ceremonial procedures in organizing rallies, commemorations, presentations, and receptions of state honors Medals, Orders, Flag of Excellence from the Government, Certificate of Merit from the Prime Minister.

2. Procedures for holding award ceremonies:

- For Medals, Orders, national honor titles, Ho Chi Minh Prize, State Prize, after receiving the Decision on award, the Head of the unit shall plan the reception ceremony, submit to the Minister (through the Standing Committee of the Ministry’s Commendation and Reward Council, after obtaining the Minister's opinion, the Standing Committee of the Ministry’s Commendation and Reward Council will coordinate to announce and present the awards).

- For Flag of Excellence from the Government; National Model Worker; Certificate of Merit from the Prime Minister, after receiving the Decision on award, the Head of the unit shall proactively plan the announcement and presentation ceremony for individuals and collectives within the unit that have been awarded.

- For excellence titles and reward forms within the authority of the Minister, the Minister may delegate the Heads of units to organize the announcement and presentation ceremonies.

Part 5:

FUND FOR COMPETITION AND REWARD

1. The Competition and Reward Fund: The Competition and Reward Fund of the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs for competition and reward activities includes the Competition and Reward Fund of the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs and the competition and reward funds of units under the Ministry.

2. Sources and Amounts to be Allocated to the Fund

a) Annually, the Director of the Department of Planning and Finance shall be responsible for allocating sources of expenditure to serve the competition and reward activities of the Ministry in accordance with Clause 1 of Article 66 of Decree No. 121/2005/ND-CP dated September 30, 2005; Circular No. 73/2006/TT-BTC dated August 15, 2006 of the Ministry of Finance guiding the establishment, management, and use of the Competition and Reward Fund (hereinafter referred to collectively as Circular No. 73/2006/TT-BTC);

b) The Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs encourages individuals and organizations both within and outside the sector to support and contribute to supplementing the Competition and Reward Fund of the Ministry and the Competition and Reward Funds of units.

c) For rewards at the end of a period, on a specific topic, or in a particular field, the relevant field shall proactively present to the competent authority the source of reward funding.

3. Management and Use of the Competition and Reward Fund:

a) The Reward Fund of the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs:

- The Ministry's Office is responsible for managing the Competition and Reward Fund of the Ministry to serve competition and reward activities;

- At the end of the year, any surplus in the Competition and Reward Fund that has not been used will be carried over to the next year for continued use in competition and reward activities;

- The Competition and Reward Fund of the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs may be used to pay cash awards or purchase tangible gifts for individuals and groups receiving awards; to print certificates, Commendation Certificates, Model Workers' Certificates, Memorial Plaques, Flags of Excellence, frames for Commendation Certificates, frames for certificates, and other expenses serving competition and reward activities as decided by the Minister of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs.

b) The Competition and Reward Fund of units: Units manage and use the fund according to Decree No. 121/2005/ND-CP; Circular No. 73/2006/TT-BTC and other related legal normative documents.

4. Principles for Award Payments

4.1. Regarding Cash Awards Accompanying Competition Titles and Year-end Summative Awards

a) Responsibility for Award Payments:

- The Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs is responsible for paying cash awards to:

Groups within the Ministry awarded the title of Hero of Labor, Independence Medal, Ho Chi Minh Medal, Golden Star Medal; individuals and groups within the Ministry's agencies awarded commendations by the Prime Minister, Government, President; individuals and groups within the Ministry's agencies awarded commendations by the Minister (for units without their own seal and separate account); groups awarded the Flag of Excellence by the Government and the Flag of Excellence by the Ministry.

- Units with their own seal and separate account are responsible for paying cash awards to:

Individuals and groups within the unit awarded commendations by the Minister, Prime Minister, Government, President.

b) Specific amounts of cash awards accompanying competition titles and forms of commendation are implemented in accordance with Articles 69 to 74 of Decree No. 121/2005/ND-CP and related legal normative documents.

c) At the same time, for the same achievement, if different competition titles and forms of commendation are received, only the highest award amount (or accompanying gift) will be received.

d) In one period, if an individual or group receives multiple competition titles achieved at different times, they will receive cash awards for each title.

4.2. Regarding Competition Titles and Commendations Based on Special Topics or Fields

For summative commendations based on special topics or fields, the relevant field shall proactively present to the competent authority the source of reward funding; the amount of cash awards is stipulated in the Law on Competition and Reward and Decree No. 121/2005/ND-CP dated September 30, 2005 of the Government and related legal normative documents.

Part 6:

RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS AWARDED RECOGNITION

1. Rights of individuals and organizations awarded recognition.

a) Individuals who receive commendation titles, forms of recognition accompanied by certificates and a monetary award or tangible items as prescribed shall have the right to retain, display, and use the tangible items awarded, be considered for salary advancement ahead of schedule according to regulations; priority in being sent for research, study, and training to improve professional skills both domestically and internationally; commendation titles and forms of recognition are among the criteria for evaluating planning, appointment, and reappointment of cadres annually;

b) Organizations that receive commendation titles, forms of recognition accompanied by certificates and a monetary award or tangible items as prescribed shall have the right to retain, display, and use symbols of the forms of recognition on official documents and materials of the unit.

2. Obligations of individuals and organizations awarded recognition.

a) Individuals and organizations recognized with commendation titles and forms of recognition shall have the obligation to properly manage the tangible items awarded and not lend them to others;

b) Continue to maintain and promote achievements worthy of the received commendation titles and forms of recognition.

Part 7:

DISCIPLINE AND RECOGNITION BOARDS AT ALL LEVELS

1. Discipline and Recognition Boards at all levels within the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs

a) At the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs: The Ministry's Discipline and Recognition Board; The Ministry's Agency Discipline and Recognition Board;

b) At units: The Unit's Discipline and Recognition Board.

2. Authority to decide on the establishment of Discipline and Recognition Boards within the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs:

a) The Minister decides on the establishment of the Ministry's Discipline and Recognition Board and the Ministry's Agency Discipline and Recognition Board;

b) Heads of units decide on the establishment of their own Unit's Discipline and Recognition Board.

3. Composition of the Ministry's Discipline and Recognition Board:

Implemented according to Decision No. 764/QĐ-LĐTBXH dated June 4, 2008 of the Minister of the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs regarding the establishment of the Ministry's Discipline and Recognition Board.

a) Chairman of the Board: Deputy Minister responsible for discipline and recognition work;

b) Standing Member of the Board: Director of the Ministry's Office;

c) Members of the Board: A number of Department Directors, Bureau Chiefs, and General Directors, Chief Inspector, assisting the Board with a Secretary and some specialists decided by the Minister.

4. Composition of the Ministry's Agency Discipline and Recognition Board:

 Implemented according to Decision No. 765/QĐ-LĐTBXH dated June 4, 2008 of the Minister of the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs regarding the establishment of the Ministry's Agency Discipline and Recognition Board.

a) Chairman of the Board: Deputy Minister responsible for discipline and recognition work;

b) Vice-Chairman of the Board: Chairman of the Trade Union of the Ministry's Agency;

c) Standing Member of the Board: Director of the Ministry's Office;

d) Board Members: Head of the Cadre Organization Department, Standing Member of the Party Committee of the Ministry's Agency, Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union of the Ministry's Agency, assisting the Board with a Secretary and some specialists decided by the Minister.

5. Composition of the Unit's Discipline and Recognition Board

a) Chairman of the Board: Head of the Unit;

b) Vice-Chairman of the Board: Chairman of the Unit's Trade Union;

c) Standing Member - Secretary of the Board: Head of the department or office assigned to oversee discipline and recognition work in the unit;

d) Board Members: Representatives of the Party Committee, administrative authorities, and other members decided by the Head of the Unit based on the principle of having 3, 5, 7, 9, or 11 members.

6. Principles of operation, tasks, and powers of Discipline and Recognition Boards at all levels:

a) Discipline and Recognition Boards at all levels operate under the principle of democratic centralism and majority voting. In cases where opinions of Board members are evenly divided, the opinion of the Chairman of the Board shall be decisive;

b) Specific principles of operation, tasks, and powers of the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs' Discipline and Recognition Board and the Ministry's Agency Discipline and Recognition Board are implemented according to the Board's operational regulations and determined by the Chairman of the Board;

c) Specific principles of operation, tasks, and powers of the Unit's Discipline and Recognition Board are determined by the Head of the Unit at the same level.

Part 8:

INSPECTION, HANDLING OF VIOLATIONS AND SETTLEMENT OF COMPLAINTS AND REPORTS

1. Inspection of the Work on Competition and Commendation

a) The Standing Committee of the Competition and Commendation Council of the Ministry shall be responsible for inspecting the work on competition and commendation at units within the scope of the industry's field before, during, and after the commendation process;

b) The head of the unit shall be responsible for organizing inspections of the work on competition and commendation at their own unit, settling complaints and reports regarding competition and commendation, and proposing competent authorities to revoke commendation decisions in cases where violations of regulations on competition and commendation are discovered.

2. Handling of Violations and Settlement of Complaints and Reports

a) The handling of violations and settlement of complaints and reports shall be carried out in accordance with Article 96 and Article 97 of the Law on Competition and Commendation; Article 77 and Article 78 of Decree No. 121/2005/NĐ-CP and other relevant regulatory legal documents;

b) The procedures, formalities, deadlines, and files for settling complaints and reports on competition and commendation shall be implemented in accordance with the law on complaints and reports.

3. Revocation of Commendation Decisions and Recovery of Commendation Money and Items

a) If a collective or individual falsifies achievements to obtain commendation, the decision to revoke the commendation, recover the commendation money and items, and impose administrative sanctions (or pursue responsibility) will depend on the degree of violation;

b) The agency proposing commendation for a collective or individual who has falsified achievements shall be responsible for submitting the matter to the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs (Competition and Commendation Council) to revoke the decision and recover the commendation money and items, or submit it to the competent authority to revoke the commendation decision and recover the commendation money and items within its jurisdiction;

c) After receiving the decision from the Minister of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs or the competent authority, the agency proposing commendation shall be responsible for recovering the money and items and remitting them to the state budget.

Part 9:

IMPLEMENTATION

1. Organization of Machinery for Competition and Commendation Work

a) The Standing Committee of the Competition and Commendation Council of the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs shall have the function of advising the Minister in implementing state management functions over competition and commendation work, regularly inspecting the implementation of reward system regulations under the Law on Competition and Commendation;

b) For the Ministry's agencies, each unit shall arrange one civil servant to concurrently perform competition and commendation work;

c) For Provincial Departments of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, one dedicated staff member shall be arranged to perform competition and commendation work;

d) For public service units under the General Department and Bureau, each unit shall arrange one staff member to concurrently perform competition and commendation work;

2. Reporting on Competition and Commendation Work

a) Annually, units shall conduct summaries and evaluations of competition and commendation work and submit reports to the Standing Committee of the Competition and Commendation Council of the Ministry;

b) When launching competitions and after each competition period, units shall organize interim summaries and final evaluations and submit reports to the Standing Committee of the Competition and Commendation Council of the Ministry.

3. Guidance on Implementation

a) The Standing Committee of the Competition and Commendation Council of the Ministry shall be responsible for guiding and inspecting the implementation of this Circular. Based on the actual situation annually, the Standing Committee of the Competition and Commendation Council of the Ministry shall study and propose commendation ratios for units;

b) Heads of units subordinate to and directly under the Ministry, Directors of Provincial Departments of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs of centrally-administered cities and provinces shall be responsible for guiding the implementation and concretizing standards suitable to the operational conditions of their units; establishing specific competition targets, encouraging quantification of these targets into scales for accurate, fair, and objective commendation assessments.

Part 10:

IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS

1. This Circular shall take effect fifteen days from the date of publication in the Official Gazette. It replaces Decision No. 720/QĐ-LĐTBXH dated April 7, 2005 of the Minister of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs on the issuance of the Medal "For the Labor - Invalids and Social Affairs Cause" and the Regulation on awarding the Medal "For the Labor - Invalids and Social Affairs Cause," and other documents of the Ministry previously issued regarding the work of Encouragement and Reward that conflict with this Circular.

2. The Chairman of the Ministry's Encouragement and Reward Council, the Director of the Ministry's Office, the Heads of agencies and units under the Ministry, the Directors of Provincial Departments of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs under centrally governed cities and the Standing Body of the Ministry's Encouragement and Reward Council are responsible for implementing this Circular.

In the course of implementation, if there are difficulties or obstacles, units and localities shall report to the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs for study and resolution./.