Joint Circular No. 30/2004/TTLT-BQP-BTC guides the implementation of Decision No. 214/2003/QĐ-TTg dated October 24, 2003 on the regime and policies for military forces directly participating in teams reinforcing bases in the Central Highlands, South West, North West regions, and border provinces of Vietnam-Laos.

JOINT CIRCULAR

Joint Circular No. 30/2004/TTLT-BQP-BTC dated March 17, 2004 of the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Finance guiding the implementation of Decision No. 214/2003/QĐ-TTg dated October 24, 2003 of the Prime Minister on the regime and policies for military forces directly participating in teams strengthening bases in the Central Highlands, Southwest, Northwest regions, and border provinces of Vietnam and Laos.

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Implementing Decision No. 214/2003/QĐ-TTg dated October 24, 2003 of the Prime Minister on the regime and policies for military and police forces directly participating in teams strengthening bases in the Central Highlands, Southwest, Northwest regions, and border provinces of Vietnam and Laos; following the opinions of the Ministry of Home Affairs at Official Letter No. 379/BNV-TL dated February 24, 2004, and the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs at Official Letter No. 172/LĐTBXH-BHXH dated January 14, 2004, the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Finance jointly guide the implementation of the regime and policies for military forces directly participating in teams strengthening bases in the Central Highlands, Southwest, Northwest regions, and border provinces of Vietnam and Laos as follows:

I. OBJECTS

1. Officers, non-commissioned officers, and professional soldiers (hereinafter referred to as soldiers) in the military establishment belonging to teams strengthening bases in the Central Highlands, Southwest, Northwest regions, and border provinces of Vietnam and Laos (hereinafter referred to as teams) according to the decision of the Minister of National Defense.

2. Cadres from superior agencies and units of the teams when directly coming to work and inspect the teams at the aforementioned locations.

3. Teams strengthening bases in the aforementioned areas established according to the decision of the Minister of National Defense.

II. REGIME APPLICATION

1. The subjects specified in Section 1, Part 1 above shall enjoy the following regimes and policies:

1. 1. Enjoy the original rank salary, grade salary (for those receiving salary); insignia allowance (for non-commissioned officers); other allowances (if any) and other policies according to current laws as those working in the area.

1. 2. Enjoy allowances and living expenses, including:

1. 2.1. Monthly responsibility allowance at a rate of 0.3 times the minimum wage as stipulated by the Government. The method of paying the responsibility allowance is according to the current regulations of the State.

1. 2.2. Monthly hazardous duty allowance at a rate of 0.4 times the minimum wage in places with regional allowances of coefficient 0.5 or higher, and 0.3 times the minimum wage in other areas. The method of paying the hazardous duty allowance is according to the current regulations of the State.

1. 2.3. During the period of performing duties, they shall enjoy a daily living expense allowance of VND 45,000. When enjoying this allowance, they shall not receive travel allowance. The living expense allowance is calculated based on the actual number of days working in the area (excluding days spent on study, external trips, leave, holidays, and hospital stays).

1. 2.4. In addition to salary, allowances, and living expenses, the Team Leader shall receive an additional allowance of VND 150,000 per month; the Deputy Team Leader shall receive an additional allowance of VND 100,000 per month. If appointed as Team Leader or Deputy Team Leader from the 1st to the 15th of the month, they shall receive the full monthly allowance; from the 16th onwards, they shall receive half the monthly allowance.

1. 3. In addition to the annual health subsidy stipulated by the Ministry of National Defense, soldiers who have served directly for six months or more each year shall be subsidized for 30 days; those serving for three to less than six months each year shall be subsidized for 15 days. The current daily subsidy amount is VND 25,000.

1. 4. Ensure two personal medical supplies per year according to the regulations of the Ministry of National Defense.

1. 5. In addition to the uniform allowance according to current regulations of the Ministry of National Defense, each soldier shall be provided with additional specialized uniforms for living and activities, including: 1 sleeping bag, 1 hammock, 1 water bottle; for corporals, an additional set of uniforms, 1 pair of canvas shoes, 2 pairs of socks, 1 pair of plastic sandals.

1. 6. Each individual shall be provided with 1 foldable personal bed.

2. Cadres from superior agencies and units of the teams as stipulated in Section 2, Part 1 above, when directly coming to work and inspect the activities of the teams at the location, shall enjoy a daily living expense allowance of VND 45,000; when enjoying this allowance, they shall not receive travel allowance.

3. Teams as stipulated in Section 3, Part I above shall be ensured funding and equipment, materials, and means of transportation as follows:

3. 1. Provided with funding to purchase 1 motorbike or 1-2 horses with a maximum amount of VND 20,000,000 per team, or 1 motorized boat with a maximum amount of VND 45,000,000 per team.

3. 2. Teams that are not provided with accommodation, workplaces, and living spaces by local authorities and do not use specialized military tents shall be provided with funding to purchase 1 tent or build 1 temporary house with a maximum amount of VND 20,000,000 per team, 2 sets of tables and chairs, 1 file cabinet to serve common living and public services with a total cost not exceeding VND 3,000,000 per team.

3. 3. Equipped with 1 set of medical equipment including: 1 blood pressure monitor, 1 stethoscope, and some necessary minor surgical tools with a total cost not exceeding VND 2,000,000 per team.

3. 4. Equipped with some operational tools: 1 megaphone, 1 tape recorder, 1 camera with a total budget not exceeding VND 4,300,000 per team.

3. 5. Equipped with 1 independent squad rations set, 1 water filter with a total cost not exceeding VND 3,300,000 per team.

3. 6. Equipped with 1 color TV (21-25 inches), 1 CD player, 1 amplifier, 1 radio, 3 transistor radios; 1 generator of 1.5KW with a total budget not exceeding VND 23,000,000 per team. Equipped with 1 guitar; 1 copy of the newspaper "People", 1 copy of the newspaper "People's Army", 1 issue of the magazine "Military Arts", 1 copy of the newspaper "Pioneer", 1 copy of the newspaper "Rural Today", 1 copy of the local newspaper (the current budget is VND 3,500,000 per team per year).

3. 7. Support for professional training and language learning costs at a standard of VND 150,000 per person per year.

3. 8. Support for medical examination and treatment activities for the people at a rate of VND 200,000 per month per team; support for fuel purchases, maintenance of equipment, materials, and means of transportation at a rate of VND 300,000 per month per team.

The duration of use for equipment, materials, and means specified in Points 1.5, 1.6 Section 1 and Points 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6 Section 31 Part II of this Circular shall be implemented according to the annex attached hereto.

4. Military personnel belonging to work teams and officials from higher-level agencies during their duty period in the locality, if they are injured or killed, shall be considered and recognized as war invalids or martyrs in accordance with current laws; if they perform their duties well, they shall be eligible for commendation.

III. IMPLEMENTATION

1. The Ministry of National Defense shall specify the specific responsibilities of functional agencies in organizing the implementation of various systems, policies, and managing the equipment, materials, and means prescribed in this Circular.

2. Higher-level units of work teams shall be responsible for organizing the implementation, management, and payment, settlement, and final accounting in accordance with current regulations.

3. The funds for implementing the systems prescribed in this Circular shall be guaranteed by the state budget and allocated in the annual defense budget.

4. This Circular shall take effect fifteen days from the date of signature. The systems and policies prescribed in this Circular shall be applied and implemented starting from November 9, 2003.

Any difficulties encountered during the implementation process should be reported to the Joint Board for consideration and resolution.