CIRCULAR

Provisions on the treatment for cadres working long-term in foreign countries funded by international organizations

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 Based on the development of economic and scientific and technological relations with foreign countries, our country has dispatched some cadres to work long-term at certain international organizations according to regulations for member states.

The salary and allowances provided by international organizations to our cadres are essentially related to the annual financial contributions, participation in share capital, or receiving aid in a certain form from those organizations.

The state's incentive system for cadres working for international organizations abroad has been applied until now according to Decree No. 105/CP dated April 20, 1965 of the Council of Ministers and Circular No. 02 dated January 25, 1966 of the Ministry of Finance - Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The aforementioned system has not created favorable conditions for cadres to strive to complete their tasks.

In order to meet the development of the situation and create conditions to improve this system in one step; based on Directive No. 1997/V7 dated February 16, 1981 and Directive No. 1585/V7 dated April 27, 1983 of the Chairman of the Council of Ministers, after consulting the opinions of the Office of the Council of Ministers and relevant ministries, the Ministry of Finance stipulates the provisions for our cadres working long-term in international organizations funded by international organizations as follows:

A. General Principles:

1. The determination of income levels left for cadres working long-term at international organizations must be based on the fact that our country is still poor, but it must ensure that cadres can proactively arrange expenditures for living, taking into account specific conditions in each living and working environment, while also ensuring the correlation between the level of benefits among cadres working at different international organizations.

2. The State shall stipulate the salary in foreign currency for our cadres working at international organizations to enjoy; the difference between the income and the salaries and allowances provided by international organizations and the salary level prescribed by the State for enjoyment under this circular shall be included in the centralized foreign currency fund of the State.

B. Specific Issues:

Based on the working and living conditions at international organizations where we have dispatched cadres to work and the salary levels paid by these organizations according to the cadre positions, the Ministry of Finance stipulates the salary and allowances for our cadres working at international organizations as follows:

1. The actual monthly income level enjoyed (in addition to the rights mentioned in Points 2, 3, and 4 below this section):

2. During the term of service, they will additionally enjoy all allowances for "clothing," "leave," "hazardous work," and bonuses provided by international organizations to plan expenditures and self-provision when on leave.

Specifically, regarding the "initial living stability allowance," cadres working in places with embassy support (with living and dining conditions at the embassy) such as cadres working at the ADB Manila organization and cadres working at the Mekong River Commission will enjoy 30% of the subsidy level, while cadres working in places without embassy support (without living and dining at the embassy) will enjoy 100% of the subsidy level.

For the "termination allowance" provided by international organizations, cadres working at socialist organizations will enjoy the full allowance, whereas cadres working at capitalist organizations will have their allowance levels specified separately at each location after determining specific allowance levels.

3. In addition to the income in foreign currency outside the country, they will receive 60% of the salary in Vietnamese currency domestically each month.

4. In cases where the salary and allowances provided by international organizations, including the "initial living stability allowance," are lower than the income level stipulated in this circular, cadres will enjoy the entire salary and allowances, including the "initial living stability allowance," to arrange living expenses for the entire term of service, and the State will not provide additional compensation for any expense.

5. Cadres must provide their own clothing. If initial clothing for work is needed, it can be purchased from the warehouse or store at the retail price of the State and deducted gradually from the remaining salary in the country within one year. The list of clothing is as follows: 1 suit, 1 sweater, 1 shirt, 1 pair of shoes, 1 tie, 1 suitcase.

6. For cadres who have worked at international organizations for a long time under the old system and are now switching to the new system, the assets and clothing previously issued and made will be handled as follows:

a. Regarding the clothing issued domestically:

+ If they have worked abroad for three years or more, they do not need to repay the clothing cost to the public fund.

+ If they have worked abroad for less than three years, they must return the remaining value of the unused clothing within the specified period.

Example: Total value of clothing issued domestically is 8,000 dong, the working period is only 15 months, then the remaining value of unused clothing to be repaid to the public fund is:

                   8,000 dong x 15 months

8,000 dong -  ----------------------   = Remaining value of clothing to be repaid to public fund

                         36 months

b. Regarding additional clothing and equipment issued abroad, cadres can continue to use them, and upon completion of the term, they must return them to the public fund (embassy recovery):

- Winter coat

- Light jacket

- Fur hat

- Window curtain

- Teapot, thermos, and reception utensils

- Television

c) Other clothing and daily necessities (ceremonial attire, summer jacket, fur-lined shoes, quilt, pillowcase, bedspread, pillow cover, bedsheet, cooking utensils...) already issued can be used without repayment.

7. Within the monthly income level enjoyed, cadres may arrange for their spouses and children of eligible age to go abroad according to the permitted system, using the standards provided by the international organization or self-funding travel and monthly living expenses.

8. When performing work at an international organization, the staff member shall prepare a report on income as prescribed by the international organization (including salary and allowances and subsidies) to the Embassy and submit it to the Ministry of Finance.

Annually, when the salary and allowances paid by the international organization are adjusted, or when new recurring allowances arise, the staff member shall promptly report to the Embassy and the Ministry of Finance for monitoring and consideration of decisions to adjust additional benefits if necessary.

9. Upon completion of their term of service, the staff member shall prepare a final settlement report on the receipt of salary and subsidies, the amount of surplus submitted to the State Budget according to regulations for confirmation by the Embassy, and report the final settlement to the Ministry of Finance upon return to the country.

10. The Embassy of our country in the host country where staff members work at international organizations shall be responsible for supervising and urging the timely submission of payments according to regulations, accounting for the surplus income into a temporary holding fund from the State Budget revenue, which can only be used with a decision of the Council of Ministers or an expenditure order of the Ministry of Finance (as stipulated in Directive No. 448-V7 dated November 12, 1979 of the Prime Minister and Circular No. 01 dated January 1, 1980 of the Ministry of Finance - State Bank - Ministry of Foreign Affairs).

11. For international organizations to which we have assigned staff but for which there are no provisions in this Circular, or for newly established international organizations to which we will assign staff, the respective Embassies in the host countries and relevant Ministries and sectors shall promptly provide necessary data and information about the salary levels and subsidies paid by those organizations to staff members, as well as living conditions, for the Ministry of Finance to determine the income level for staff working at those organizations. This regulation shall take effect from the date of issuance. The Ministry of Finance requests all Ministries, sectors, and our Embassies in various countries to disseminate this Circular to staff working at international organizations for thorough understanding and compliance.

During implementation, any difficulties encountered should be reported by relevant sectors and Embassies to the Ministry of Finance for study and supplementation.