Decision No. 188/1999/QD-TTg On Implementing the 40-Hour Work Week System

DECISION

Implementing a 40-hour workweek

PRIME MINISTER

Pursuant to the Government Organization Law dated September 30, 1992;

Based on the Labor Code dated June 23, 1994;

Pursuant to Decree No. 195/CP dated December 31, 1994 of the Government detailing and guiding the implementation of certain provisions of the Labor Code regarding working hours and rest periods;

Article 5. The registration of internal regulations on labor pursuant to Article 82 of the Labor Code shall be regulated as follows:

DECISION:

Article 1. Now, we hereby stipulate a 40-hour workweek over five days, with Saturday and Sunday off for officials, civil servants, and workers in administrative units, public service organizations, political organizations, and political-social organizations (collectively referred to as units).

Article 2. When implementing a 40-hour workweek over five days, units must ensure the following conditions:

- Completing assigned workload, ensuring quantity, quality, and efficiency;

- Strictly adhering to labor discipline;

- Not increasing administrative costs; not expanding staffing levels or salary funds; except in special cases where the salary fund may increase but overall costs remain unchanged;

- Ensuring timely processing of administrative procedures according to the requirements of organizations and individuals;

- For units operating continuously 24/7, they must reasonably arrange and organize shift systems based on current staffing levels to meet the aforementioned conditions;

- For units whose nature of work does not allow weekly rest on Saturdays and Sundays, they must arrange rest on other days of the week.

Article 3. The Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs shall be responsible for guiding the implementation of reduced working hours for state-owned enterprises; economic and service units applying the provisions of the Law on State-Owned Enterprises.

Article 4. Encouragement is given to enterprises, production and business establishments under various economic sectors, and foreign agencies and international organizations in Vietnam that employ workers to implement a 40-hour workweek over five days.

Article 5. When implementing a 40-hour workweek, the daily wage rate for overtime pay, night work pay, social insurance substitute payments, etc., shall continue to be implemented according to current regulations.

Article 6. This Decision shall take effect from October 2, 1999.

Article 7. For units that have not yet met the conditions stipulated in Article 2 above, they shall continue to implement a 48-hour workweek over six days.

The Minister, Head of Ministries equivalent to Ministries, Heads of government agencies, Chairmen of provincial people's committees directly under the central government shall direct units under their management with the specified characteristics to develop specific plans and measures to implement this within the year 2000.

Article 8. Ministries, sectors, and localities shall be responsible for directing and guiding units under their management to implement this Decision; compiling and submitting reports to the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs.

The Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs shall be responsible for monitoring the general implementation situation of ministries, sectors, and localities and compiling reports to submit to the Prime Minister.

News agencies, radio, and television stations shall be responsible for participating in explaining and disseminating this Decision accurately and reflecting the organization and implementation process at ministries, sectors, localities, and bases to address difficulties and obstacles promptly.

Article 9. Ministers, The Minister, Head of Ministries equivalent to Ministries, Heads of government agencies, Chairmen of provincial people's committees directly under the central government shall be responsible for enforcing this Decision.