Decision No. 22/2006/NQ-CP of the Government at the regular meeting of the Government in August 2006

RESOLUTION

Regular Government Meeting in August 2006

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 On August 30 and 31, 2006, the Government convened its regular meeting for August to discuss and adopt the following issues:

1. The Government heard the Minister of Planning and Investment's report on the socio-economic situation in 2006 and the plan for socio-economic development in 2007; and the Minister of Finance's report on the assessment of the implementation of the State budget in 2006 and the draft State budget for 2007.

     After reviewing the socio-economic situation in the first eight months of the year and forecasting the trend of development for the remaining months of 2006, the Government agreed that in 2006, the socio-economic situation of the country has shown positive changes, with most key indicators set forth in the National Assembly’s Resolution on socio-economic development tasks and the State budget estimate for 2006 expected to be met or exceeded. The national gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate for the entire year is estimated at about 8%; the economic structure continues to shift towards industrialization and modernization; foreign relations, economic integration, import-export activities, and resource mobilization for investment development have achieved many positive results; major balances in the economy continue to stabilize; state revenue exceeds the estimate; investment spending increases, as does salary reform. Social sectors have made significant progress, with the poverty rate decreasing, new university and college admissions increasing, long-term vocational training enrollment rising, and the malnutrition rate among children under five years old declining. Political and social stability is maintained, and national defense and security are strengthened.

     However, the quality of growth still contains many unsustainable factors; management and utilization of resources for socio-economic development are inefficient; educational quality at all levels remains low; healthcare services fail to meet people's health care needs; administrative reform is slow; efforts to prevent and combat corruption and waste, although showing some progress, have not been effectively curbed or reversed overall.

     The year 2007 is crucial for creating momentum to achieve the goals of the five-year socio-economic development plan from 2006 to 2010. Based on specificizing the Party’s and National Assembly’s resolutions on the direction of socio-economic development for 2006-2010, the implementation of the 2006 plan, and forecasts for the 2007 context, the Government’s plan for socio-economic development and the State budget for 2007 must propose key solutions with breakthrough characteristics to strongly transform the country's economy to operate under a market-oriented socialist mechanism; attract foreign direct investment and domestic investment resources; improve the quality of education and train human resources; implement administrative reform and prevent and combat corruption and waste vigorously.

     Direct the Ministry of Planning and Investment and the Ministry of Finance to incorporate the opinions from the meeting, finalize the reports for the Prime Minister's consideration and decision regarding seeking the Central Committee's and Politburo's opinions and reporting to the National Assembly.

2. Based on the steps outlined in the wage policy reform project, the provisions of Decree No. 203/2004/NĐ-CP dated December 14, 2004, of the Government, the Minister of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs presented to the Government the proposal to adjust the minimum wage and the pension and social insurance benefit adjustment plan for 2006.

     Direct the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs to take the lead, coordinate with the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Finance, and the Government Office, incorporate the opinions from the meeting, finalize the documents, and submit them to the Prime Minister for signature before September 15, 2006.

3. The Government reviewed the draft Decree guiding the implementation of Article 153 of the Labor Code concerning the Temporary Executive Committee of the Trade Union at enterprises submitted by the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor; and listened to the Minister, Head of the Government Office's report summarizing the opinions of the Government members on this draft Decree.

     Based on the provisions of the Labor Code and the practical requirements, the Government is unified in the necessity of issuing this Decree to create a legal framework for the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor to guide the designation of the Temporary Executive Committee of the Trade Union at enterprises that have yet to establish trade union organizations.

     The Government requests the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor to take the lead, coordinate with relevant government agencies, incorporate the opinions from the meeting, finalize the draft Decree, and submit it to the Prime Minister for signature and issuance.

4. The Government heard the Minister of Justice's presentation on the proposed Program for Legislative Drafting of Laws and Ordinances by the Government in 2007; and listened to the Minister, Head of the Government Office's report summarizing the opinions of the Government members on this proposed Program.

     The Program for Legislative Drafting of Laws and Ordinances by the Government in 2007 will further specify the 1992 Constitution (which was amended and supplemented by the National Assembly in 2001); fully and promptly institutionalize the Party’s guidelines at the 10th National Congress and other Central Committee and Politburo Resolutions. Among these, particular attention will be given to drafting laws and ordinances to meet the requirements of administrative reform and the socio-economic development of the country.

     The legislative projects included in the Program should have a reasonable number, be well-prepared in terms of quality, ensure timeliness, and be feasible under the condition that 2007 is the last year of the 11th National Assembly and the year of the election of the 12th National Assembly deputies.

     Direct the Ministry of Justice to take the lead, coordinate with the Government Office, incorporate the opinions from the meeting, finalize the Program for Legislative Drafting of Laws and Ordinances by the Government in 2007, and submit it to the Prime Minister for consideration and decision regarding submission to the Standing Committee of the National Assembly.

5. The Government has heard the Minister of Justice's presentation on abolishing administrative supervision measures and revoking Decree No. 31/CP dated April 14, 1997 of the Government on administrative supervision.

In the context of building a socialist rule-of-law state and international integration, and implementing judicial reforms at present, it is necessary to abolish administrative supervision measures and revoke Decree No. 31/CP on administrative supervision. To provide a legal basis for implementation, the Minister of Justice, acting on behalf of the Prime Minister, shall submit to the Standing Committee of the National Assembly a Resolution regarding the revocation or suspension of application of certain Articles and Clauses related to administrative supervision in the Administrative Violation Handling Ordinance 2002, based on which Decree No. 31/CP on administrative supervision will be revoked.

6. The Government has heard the Minister of Justice's presentation on the draft Law on Judicial Assistance; and the Minister, Head of the Government Office's report summarizing the opinions of Government members on this draft Law.

Judicial assistance activities between Vietnam and other countries have existed for many years, but the domestic legal system on judicial assistance is still incomplete and not fully harmonized. To protect the State's interests, the legitimate rights and interests of agencies, organizations, and Vietnamese citizens both abroad and within the country, and to better serve the process of international integration, it is very necessary to promulish the Law on Judicial Assistance at an early date.

The Ministry of Justice is tasked with leading, coordinating with the Government Office and relevant agencies, incorporating the opinions from the meeting, perfecting the draft Law on Judicial Assistance, and submitting it to the Prime Minister for a decision on presenting it to the Standing Committee of the National Assembly.

7. The Government has reviewed the Report on the results of the monthly production, business, service, and investment meetings in August and the socio-economic situation in the first eight months of 2006, presented by the Ministry of Planning and Investment; the Report on the implementation of the State budget in August and the first eight months of 2006, presented by the Ministry of Finance; and the Report on trade in August 2006, presented by the Ministry of Trade.

In August and the first eight months of 2006, the socio-economic situation of the country continued to develop stably. Industrial production continued to grow moderately. Agricultural production was stable, and avian influenza was further contained. There were significant progress in service sectors, import-export, investment development, and budget revenue and expenditure. Poverty reduction efforts yielded good results. However, many difficulties and limitations persisted, such as high fuel prices and bank interest rates increasing production costs; diseases spreading among people, crops, poultry, and livestock; consecutive natural disasters causing substantial human and material losses; traffic safety and order remaining unsatisfactory, with a rise in serious traffic accidents; delayed resolution of complaints and petitions, and other social issues causing public discontent.

To strive to complete the socio-economic development plan for 2006, the first year of implementing the 2006-2010 Socio-Economic Development Plan, the Government requests all Ministries, sectors, and localities not to be satisfied with the achievements made, to continue implementing Resolution No. 01/2006/NQ-CP and Resolution No. 13/2006/NQ-CP of the Government, and Directives No. 27/2006/CT-TTg and 28/2006/CT-TTg of the Prime Minister; to focus efforts on overcoming difficulties to promote production, business, and exports; to accelerate the disbursement of construction investment funds; to strengthen disease prevention and control measures; to promptly issue guiding documents for the implementation of Laws passed by the National Assembly; to maintain national security and defense; to curb traffic accidents and prevent deforestation.