Joint Circular No. 30/2004/TTLT/BQP-BTC 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-Laos.

JOINT CIRCULAR

Guidelines for Implementing Decision No. 214/2003/QĐ-TTg

dated October 24, 2003 of the Prime Minister on

the system of policies for military forces directly participating

in teams strengthening bases in the Central Highlands,

Southwest, Northwest, and border provinces of Vietnam-Laos

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

I. OBJECTS

1. Officers, non-commissioned officers, and professional soldiers (hereinafter referred to as soldiers) in the military units assigned to teams strengthening bases in the Central Highlands, Southwest, Northwest, and border provinces of Vietnam-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 working and inspecting 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. APPLICATION REGIME

1. The subjects specified in Section 1, Part 1 above shall enjoy the following 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 currently 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 and dangerous 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 for the remaining areas. The method of paying the hazardous and dangerous allowance is according to the current regulations of the State.

1. 2.3. During the period of duty, they will be entitled to a daily living expense allowance of VND 45,000. When enjoying this benefit, they will not receive travel allowance. The living expense allowance will be calculated based on the actual number of days working in the area (excluding days spent studying, traveling outside the area, taking leave, holidays, and hospitalization).

1. 2.4. In addition to salary, allowances, and living expenses, the Team Leader will receive an additional allowance of VND 150,000/month; the Deputy Team Leader will receive an additional allowance of VND 100,000/month. If appointed to the position of Team Leader or Deputy Team Leader from the 1st to the 15th day of the month, they will receive the full monthly allowance; from the 16th day onwards, they will 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 will be subsidized for 30 days; those serving for three to six months each year will be subsidized for 15 days. The current daily subsidy amount is VND 25,000.

1. 4. Guaranteed two sets of personal medication 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 will be provided with additional specialized uniforms for living and working, including: 1 sleeping bag, 1 hammock, 1 water bottle; annually provided with 1 set of uniforms, 1 pair of canvas shoes, 2 pairs of socks, 1 pair of plastic sandals.

1. 6. Each individual will be provided with 1 foldable personal mattress.

2. Cadres from superior agencies and units of the teams according to the provisions of Section 2, Part 1 above, when directly working and inspecting the activities of the teams at the location, will enjoy a daily living expense allowance of VND 45,000; when enjoying this benefit, they will not receive travel allowance.

3. Teams according to the provisions of Section 3, Part I above will be guaranteed 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 cost of VND 20,000,000/team, or 1 motorized boat with a maximum cost of VND 45,000,000/team.

3. 2. Teams that are not provided with accommodation, work, and living space by local authorities and do not use specialized military tents will be provided with funding to purchase 1 tent or build 1 temporary house with a maximum cost of VND 20,000,000/team, 2 sets of tables and chairs, 1 file cabinet to serve common living and public service purposes with a maximum cost of VND 3,000,000/team.

3. 3. Equipped with 1 medical kit including: 1 blood pressure monitor, 1 stethoscope, and necessary minor surgical tools with a maximum cost of VND 2,000,000/team.

3. 4. Equipped with some operational tools: 1 megaphone (handheld loudspeaker), 1 tape recorder, 1 camera with a maximum cost of VND 4,300,000/team.

3. 5. Equipped with 1 independent squad rations kit, 1 water filter with a maximum cost of VND 3,300,000/team.

3. 6. Equipped with 1 color TV (21-25 inches), 1 DVD player, 1 amplifier, 1 radio cassette player, 3 transistor radios; 1 generator of 1.5KW with a maximum cost of VND 23,000,000/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 (current budget is VND 3,500,000/team/year).

3. 7. Supported with funding for professional training and learning ethnic languages, at a standard of VND 150,000/person/year.

3. 8. Support operating costs for medical examination and treatment activities for the public at a rate of 200,000 VND per month per team; support purchasing fuel, oil, repairing equipment, materials, and means of transportation at a rate of 300,000 VND per month per team. The usage period of the equipment, materials, and means of transportation specified in Points 1.5, 1.6 of Section 1 and Points 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6 of Section 31 of Part II of this Circular shall be implemented according to the annex attached hereto.

4. Military personnel belonging to the working teams and officials of superior agencies and units during their duty performance 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 complete their tasks satisfactorily, 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 and policies and managing the equipment, materials, and means of transportation as prescribed in this Circular.

2. Superior units of the working teams shall be responsible for organizing the implementation, management, and payment, settlement, and finalization 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 within 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 implemented from November 9, 2003. Any difficulties encountered during implementation should be reported to the Joint Board for consideration and resolution.

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