Circular No. 18/2023/TT-BTNMT detailing the implementation of certain provisions of the Law on Competition and Rewards for the natural resources and environment sector.

CIRCULAR

Detailed regulations on implementation of certain provisions of the Law on Encouragement and Reward for the natural resources and environment sector

sector of natural resources and environment

Pursuant to the Law on Encouragement and Reward dated June 15, 2022;

Pursuant to Decree No. 68/2022/NĐ-CP dated September 22, 2022 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment;

At the request of the Director of the Cadre and Civil Servant Department and the Director of the Legal Department;

The Minister of Natural Resources and Environment issues this Circular detailing the implementation of certain provisions of the Law on Encouragement and Reward in 2022 for the natural resources and environment sector.

Chapter I GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation and Applicability

1. This Circular details the implementation of Clause 4 Article 24, Clause 3 Article 26, Clause 3 Article 27, Clause 3 Article 28, Clause 2 Article 71, Clause 6 Article 74, Clause 2 Article 75, and Clause 6 Article 84 of the Law on Encouragement and Reward in 2022.

2. This Circular applies to collectives and individuals at agencies, organizations, units under and directly affiliated with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the natural resources and environment sector, and organizations and individuals who have achievements and contributions to the construction and development of the natural resources and environment sector.

Article 2. Responsibilities of organizations and individuals in encouragement and reward work

1. Heads of agencies, organizations, and units under and directly affiliated with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment shall directly lead and direct, and be responsible for encouragement and reward work; identify outstanding and excellent collectives and individuals to reward within their authority; propose the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment to reward or submit to competent authorities for reward; promote exemplary models; evaluate the achievements of collectives and individuals and be responsible for the proposal for reward.

2. Responsibilities of related agencies, organizations, and individuals

a) Strictly comply with legal provisions and regulations of agencies, organizations, and units in competition and reward work;

b) Shall be responsible under the law for reporting achievements, preparing files for reward proposals; have the responsibility to preserve and store award items according to regulations.

3. Agencies, organizations, and units with communication, press, and publication functions of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment shall have the responsibility:

a) To propagate the Party's policies, State laws, and the Ministry's and sector's policies and laws on encouragement and reward;

b) Regularly publish slogans and contents of encouragement; publicize and set examples for collectives and individuals with outstanding achievements, exemplary models, good people, and good deeds in encouragement movements; report the results achieved in encouragement movements and reward work; promptly reflect and combat violations of laws on encouragement and reward.

Chapter II AWARDS AND REWARD FORMS

Article 3. Criteria for Awarding the Title "Advanced Worker"

1. The title "Advanced Worker" is awarded annually to individuals at agencies, organizations, and units under and directly affiliated with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment who meet the criteria specified in Clause 1 Article 24 of the Law on Encouragement and Reward in 2022.

2. Time spent by individuals assigned by competent authorities to attend training, education, and enhancement courses counts towards the assessment for the title "Advanced Worker".

3. Maternity leave time as prescribed by law shall be counted towards the consideration of the title "Advanced Worker."

4. In cases where individuals are transferred or seconded to work at other agencies or units, the assessment for the title "Advanced Worker" is decided by the agency or unit with authority over the individual. The receiving agency or unit has the responsibility to provide comments on compliance with the Party's guidelines and policies, State laws, internal regulations, and the performance of assigned tasks during the transfer or secondment period.

5. The title "Advanced Worker" shall not be assessed for the following cases:

a) Individuals who have been employed or are working under a labor contract for less than six months;

b) Individuals who have taken leave from work for three months or more in a year (except for cases stipulated in Clauses 2 and 3 of this Article);

c) Individuals who are currently under consideration for disciplinary action, investigation, audit, or inspection due to suspected violations, or whose complaints or reports are being verified.

Article 4. Standards and Recipients for the Award of the "Flag of Excellence Competition of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment"

1. The title "Flag of Excellence Competition of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment" shall be awarded to collectives meeting the standards prescribed in Clause 1 and Clause 2, Article 26 of the Law on Encouragement and Reward 2022.

2. The recipients of the award of the "Flag of Excellence Competition of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment" are leading collectives in the competition movement organized by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, including:

a) Agencies, organizations, and units under or directly under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment;

b) Provincial Departments of Natural Resources and Environment under centrally governed cities;

c) Other agencies, organizations, and units belonging to the competition clusters organized by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment as prescribed.

Article 5. Criteria and Recipients for the Award of the Excellent Labor Collective Title

1. The title "Excellent Labor Collective" shall be awarded annually to collectives meeting the standards prescribed in Clause 1, Article 27 of the Law on Encouragement and Reward 2022.

2. Recipients of the title "Excellent Labor Collective" include:

a) Agencies, organizations, and units under or directly under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment;

b) Units constituting the agencies, organizations, and units prescribed in point a, Clause 2 of this Article;

c) Provincial Meteorological and Hydrological Stations under Regional Meteorological and Hydrological Stations under the General Department of Meteorology and Hydrology.

Article 6. Criteria and Recipients for the Award of the Advanced Labor Collective Title

1. The title "Advanced Labor Collective" shall be awarded annually to collectives meeting the standards prescribed in Clause 1, Article 28 of the Law on Encouragement and Reward 2022.

2. The recipients of the award of the "Advanced Labor Collective" are collectives of agencies, organizations, and units under or directly under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, including:

a) General Departments;

b) Directorates, Bureaus, Inspectors of the Ministry, and various Offices;

c) Public Service Units;

d) Enterprises, Vietnam Environmental Protection Fund;

đ) Collectives at the department level and equivalent.

Article 7. Standards for Granting or Posthumously Granting Certificates of Merit by the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment

1. The Certificate of Merit by the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment shall be granted or posthumously granted to individuals who set good examples in implementing Party guidelines, State policies and laws, and meet one of the following criteria:

a) Achieving outstanding results recognized in competitions launched by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment;

b) Achieving many merits or sudden achievements with significant impact in one of the fields under the management of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment;

c) Contributing to economic and social development, applying scientific and technological progress, social work, humanitarian activities related to natural resources and environmental fields;

d) Individuals working in agencies, organizations, and units under or directly under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment who have been twice consecutively awarded the title "Model Worker at the Grassroots Level" or have been continuously recognized as having excellently completed their tasks for two years or more, during which time they have had two recognized and effectively applied initiatives within their grassroots unit or have had two scientific research topics, scientific projects, and science and technology works that have been accepted and effectively applied within their grassroots unit;

đ) Workers, farmers, and laborers achieving many merits in their work and production, with significant impact in their commune, agency, unit, organization, or enterprise related to natural resources and environmental fields.

2. The Certificate of Merit by the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment shall be granted or posthumously granted to business leaders, intellectuals, and scientists who implement well Party guidelines, State policies and laws, and meet one of the criteria specified in Clause 1 of this Article or have made contributions to the development of the natural resources and environmental sector recognized by the Ministry, sector, or province.

3. The Certificate of Merit by the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment shall be granted to collectives who set good examples in implementing Party guidelines, State policies and laws, maintain internal unity, and meet one of the following criteria:

a) Achieving outstanding results recognized in competitions launched by the natural resources and environmental sector;

b) Achieving outstanding sudden achievements with significant impact in each field under the management of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment;

c) Contributing to economic and social development, applying scientific and technological progress, social work, humanitarian activities related to natural resources and environmental fields;

d) Being recognized as having excellently completed their tasks for two consecutive years or being awarded the title "Excellent Labor Collective" by the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment; practicing democracy at the grassroots level, organizing good competitions; caring for the material and spiritual life of the collective; practicing thrift and combating waste; preventing corruption and negative practices.

4. The Certificate of Merit by the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment shall be granted to enterprises and other economic organizations that implement well Party guidelines, State policies and laws, and meet one of the criteria specified in Clause 3 of this Article or have made contributions to the development of the natural resources and environmental sector recognized by the Ministry, sector, or province.

5. The Certificate of Merit by the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment shall be granted to households who set good examples in implementing Party guidelines, State policies and laws, and make significant contributions through their efforts, land, and property to their locality and society in competitions or programs and activities launched by the natural resources and environmental sector.

Article 8. Criteria for awarding Certificates of Merit

1. The Certificate of Merit by the Head of an entity with legal personality under or directly under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment shall be awarded to individuals under their management who meet one of the following criteria:

a) Completing tasks well or better; having good moral qualities; being united, setting good examples in implementing Party guidelines, State policies, internal regulations, and work rules of the entity; regularly studying to improve professional knowledge and skills;

b) Achieving outstanding results recognized in competitive campaigns initiated by the agency or unit;

c) Achieving sudden achievements in the field managed by the entity.

2. The Certificate of Merit by the Head of an entity with legal personality under or directly under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment shall be awarded to collectives under their management who meet one of the following criteria:

a) Completing tasks well or better; maintaining internal unity, without complaints or reports; practicing democracy at the grassroots level, organizing good competitions; caring for the material and spiritual life of the collective, practicing thrift and combating waste; fully implementing systems and policies for all members of the collective.

b) Achieving outstanding results recognized in competitive movements;

c) Achieving outstanding and exceptional achievements in the field under the management of the agency or unit.

Article 9. Quantity of files for recommending the awarding of commendation titles and forms of reward within the authority of the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment

The file for recommending the awarding of commendation titles and forms of reward within the authority of the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment includes one set of reward files as prescribed.

Chapter III REMEMBRANCE MEDAL "FOR THE CAUSE OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT"

Article 10. Remembrance Medal "For the Cause of Natural Resources and Environment"

1. The Remembrance Medal "For the Cause of Natural Resources and Environment" is a form of recognition by the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment for individuals who have worked and are currently working in and outside the natural resources and environment sector; individuals from foreign countries and overseas Vietnamese who have contributed to the construction and development of the natural resources and environment sector.

2. The Remembrance Medal "For the Cause of Natural Resources and Environment" is awarded only once and there is no posthumous award.

Article 11. Recipients of the Remembrance Medal "For the Cause of Natural Resources and Environment"

1. Individuals who have worked and are currently working at agencies, organizations, and units in the natural resources and environment sector.

2. Individuals who are Vietnamese and have contributed to the construction and development of the natural resources and environment sector.

3. Foreign individuals and overseas Vietnamese who have contributed to the construction and development of the natural resources and environment sector.

Article 12. Criteria for awarding the Remembrance Medal "For the Cause of Natural Resources and Environment"

1. For individuals falling under the category specified in Clause 1, Article 11 of this Circular.

a) The Minister and Deputy Ministers of Natural Resources and Environment are not considered for years of service when awarding the Remembrance Medal.

b) Having served in the natural resources and environment sector for 20 years or more for males and 15 years or more for females, with good moral character and successfully completing tasks. In cases where individuals have continuously served for three years in mountainous areas, remote regions, border areas, islands, and regions with particularly difficult socio-economic conditions, they must have served for at least 15 years for males and 10 years for females. Individuals transferring from other sectors to work in the natural resources and environment sector must have continuously served for at least 25 years for males and 20 years for females, including at least 10 years for males and seven years for females in the natural resources and environment sector.

c) Individuals holding leadership positions at the Department level or higher within the General Departments of the Ministry and equivalent levels, and leaders of Provincial Natural Resources and Environment Departments must have held their positions for at least five years.

2. For individuals falling under the category specified in Clause 2, Article 11 of this Circular.

a) Outstanding achievements in leadership and direction contributing to the construction and development of the natural resources and environment sector;

b) Merits and contributions to the construction and development of the natural resources and environment sector;

c) Innovative ideas, solutions, scientific works recognized by competent state authorities, having practical value, making substantial and effective contributions to the development of the natural resources and environment sector;

d) Financial or material support for the development of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment or one of the fields within the natural resources and environment sector.

3. For individuals falling under the category specified in Clause 3, Article 11 of this Circular. Outstanding achievements in strengthening international cooperation relations, positively contributing to the construction and development of the natural resources and environment sector or one of the fields within the natural resources and environment sector.

Article 13. Subjects not eligible for the Commendation Medal

1. Individuals who are under disciplinary review or are involved in criminal cases without a conclusion from competent state agencies.

2. Individuals undergoing one of the forms of disciplinary action. The period during which the individual is subject to disciplinary action shall not be counted towards their service time for consideration for the Commendation Medal.

3. Individuals who are under investigation, audit, inspection due to suspected violations, or whose complaints or reports are being verified.

Chapter IV IMPLEMENTATION AND ORGANIZATION OF IMPLEMENTATION

Article 14. Effective Date

1. This Circular takes effect from January 1, 2024.

2. This Circular replaces Circular No. 21/2018/TT-BTNMT dated November 14, 2018, issued by the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment regarding competition and commendation work in the natural resources and environment sector.

3. In case the legal normative documents referred to in this Circular are amended, supplemented, or replaced, they shall be implemented according to the provisions of the amended, supplemented, or replacing documents.

Article 15. Implementation Organization

1. Ministries, ministerial-level agencies, government agencies; People's Committees of provinces and centrally governed cities; Heads of the Cadre and Civil Servant Organization Department, Heads of agencies, organizations, units under and directly under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment; Directors of Provincial and Centrally Governed City Departments of Natural Resources and Environment; Relevant agencies, organizations, units, and individuals are responsible for implementing this Circular.

2. During the implementation process, if there are difficulties, relevant agencies, organizations, units, and individuals are requested to promptly reflect them to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment for consolidation, examination, amendment, and supplementation to ensure appropriateness./.