Joint Circular No. 39/TT-LB guiding the management and use of funds for the Program to Prevent and Combat Prostitution

CIRCULAR

JOINT MINISTRY OF FINANCE AND LABOR, INVALIDS AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS JOINT CIRCULAR NO. 39/TT-LB DATED MAY 15, 1995 GUIDELINES FOR THE MANAGEMENT AND USE OF FUNDS FOR THE PROSTITUTION PREVENTION PROGRAM CHAPTER: GUIDELINES FOR THE MANAGEMENT AND USE OF FUNDS FOR THE PROSTITUTION PREVENTION PROGRAM

Pursuant to Resolution No. 05/CP dated January 29, 1993 of the Government on prostitution prevention and Point 3, Part II of Decision No. 829/TTg dated December 30, 1994 of the Prime Minister regarding "some policies and measures for managing key areas in the socio-economic development plan for 1995," the Joint Ministry of Finance and Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs hereby provides guidelines for the management and use of funds for the prostitution prevention program (referred to as Program 05) as follows:

I- GENERAL PRINCIPLES: 

1\. From 1995 onwards, the funds for Program 05 will be allocated and balanced within the annual state budget plans of central ministries, sectors, agencies, and localities. For central ministries, sectors, and agencies, the funds will be included in the regular expenditure plan. For localities, the funds will be incorporated into the local budget.

2\. In addition to the centrally allocated funds, central ministries, sectors, agencies, and localities must mobilize additional funding from local sources, contributions from the public, economic and social organizations, international aid, etc., to implement Program 05.

3\. Financial authorities at all levels shall closely cooperate with the labor, invalids, and social affairs sector to advise and assist ministries, sectors, and localities in strictly managing the funds for the program, using them for their intended purposes; prioritizing fund allocation and timely disbursement to ensure project progress; while strengthening inspection and supervision to ensure compliance with regulations and achieve practical effectiveness.

II- SPECIFIC PROVISIONS 

1\. The centrally allocated funds supporting central ministries, sectors, agencies, and localities for Program 05 include the following items:

1.1\. Information dissemination, education, and mobilization for prostitution prevention.

1.2\. Support for medical expenses, living allowances, and vocational training for prostitutes according to the provisions set out in Article 2 of Decision No. 167/TTg dated April 8, 1994 of the Prime Minister.

1.3\. Support for surveys, investigations, crackdowns, and dismantling of prostitution hotspots, groups, and networks.

1.4\. Support for reintegrating individuals with difficult economic circumstances into society, at a rate of 200,000 VND/person. For those with extremely difficult circumstances, the maximum support rate does not exceed 400,000 VND/person.

1.5\. Training sessions, seminars, and summaries of prostitution prevention work.

1.6\. Awards.

1.7\. Support for directing prostitution prevention work.

1.8\. Subsidies for pilot village and town cadres, up to a maximum of 120,000 VND/person/month.

1.9\. Support for repairing and upgrading facilities at centers for education, treatment, and vocational training for prostitutes.

1.10\. Assistance for purchasing essential living supplies for prostitutes in extremely difficult circumstances when they are first admitted to centers. The maximum amount does not exceed 50,000 VND/person.

The Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs, based on the requirements for directing social evil prevention work and the specific conditions of the sector and locality during each period, is responsible for providing detailed guidance on the use of funds for each item listed above and ensuring that the total expenditure does not exceed the amount announced by the Government in its annual plan.

2\. Local budgets and other supplementary sources for Program 05 include the following items:

2.1\. Ensuring the operation of centers for education, treatment, and vocational training for prostitutes according to current standards and norms.

2.2\. Based on the needs for prostitution prevention activities in their locality, localities may allocate from their annual budget plans assigned by the Government or from surplus revenues in their local budget under the current system of budgetary management to supplement the aforementioned expenditures as stipulated in Point 1, Part II of this Circular.

3\. Planning and allocating funds for Program 05:

Central ministries, sectors, agencies, provinces, and centrally-administered cities shall annually prepare financial plans for prostitution prevention work in accordance with the timeframes and guidelines provided by the Ministry of Finance for annual revenue and expenditure planning, and submit these plans to the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs for consolidation into the Program 05 financial plan, which will then be submitted to the Ministry of Finance and the State Planning Commission for approval by the Government and the National Assembly. The Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs, based on approved finances, the situation of social evils, and the implementation activities of central ministries, sectors, agencies, and localities, and the contents of expenditures prescribed in this Circular, will assign plans to relevant entities for implementation.

For repair and upgrade funds for centers for education, treatment, and vocational training for prostitutes, units shall establish projects and designs in accordance with current national regulations on construction and submit them for approval by the People's Committee of the province or city.

4\. Allocation and management of Program 05 funds:

4.1\. For central ministries, sectors, and agencies participating in Program 05, the funds will be directly allocated by the Ministry of Finance based on the content of contracts or proposals approved and notified by the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs.

4.2\. For localities, starting from 1995, the funds for Program 05 will be allocated and balanced within the local budget.

The Department of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs, the permanent body assisting the People's Committee of the province or city in prostitution prevention work, is responsible for developing plans for the use and management of funds according to the objectives, contents, and tasks of each department, organization, and mass organization, and submitting them for approval by the People's Committee. Based on the approved indicators, it organizes the signing of specific responsibility contracts with each department, organization, and mass organization.

The Department of Finance and Price Control is responsible for disbursing funds to departments, organizations, and mass organizations according to the approval of the People's Committee and the signed responsibility contracts; and together with the Department of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs, monitors and inspects the implementation of funds by units according to the approved plans and contracts.

5\. Settlement and final accounting of contracts:

5.1 - Liquidation of contracts: quarterly and annually, departments, sectors, and mass organizations shall be responsible for reporting on the use of funds and the implementation of responsibility contracts to the agencies that signed them.

5.2 - Settlement of contracts: Based on the results of acceptance and liquidation of contracts, quarterly and annually, localities, ministries, sectors, and central agencies using funds from Program 05 shall be responsible for timely and fully settling the use of funds with the Ministry of Finance in accordance with prescribed regulations, while submitting the settlement report for review to the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs to compile the settlement report to the Government on the implementation of the National Program to Prevent Prostitution.

III- IMPLEMENTATION PROVISIONS:

This Circular takes effect from January 1, 1995, replacing Circular No. 58/TT-LB dated July 4, 1994, issued jointly by the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs. All previous provisions contrary to this Circular are hereby abolished.

Any difficulties or obstacles encountered during implementation should be reported to the joint ministries for consideration and resolution.