Circular No. 425/1999/TT-BGTVT guiding the implementation of Government Decree No. 56/1998/NĐ-CP on "Regulations on forms, subjects, and criteria for commendation awards of the Government, ministries, ministerial-level agencies, and government-affiliated agencies; detailing the criteria for labor medal commendations" in the transportation sector.

CIRCULAR

Guidelines for implementing Decree No. 56/1998/NĐ-CP of the Government on "Regulations on forms, subjects, and criteria for commendation awards of the Government, ministries, agencies at the ministerial level, and government agencies; detailing the criteria for commendation awards of Labor Medals" in the transportation sector.Specifically detailing the criteria for commendation awards of Labor Medals.standards for awarding the Labor Medal "in the transportation sector" Ministry of Transport

Pursuant to Decree No. 56/1998/NĐ-CP dated July 30, 1998 of the Government promulgating "Regulations on forms, subjects, and criteria for commendation awards of the Government, ministries, agencies at the ministerial level, and government agencies; detailing the criteria for commendation awards of Labor Medals." On September 17, 1998, the State Merit Award Institute issued Circular No. 432/TĐKT and the Ministry of Finance issued Circular No. 24/1999/BTC-TT dated March 4, 1999, providing detailed guidance on certain points of Decree No. 56. To ensure consistent implementation of the Government's Decree throughout the entire sector, the Ministry of Transport provides detailed guidance on the implementation of the Government's Decree as follows:

II- SUPPORT MEASURES FOR STATE-OWNED AGRICULTURAL FARMS AND FORESTRY COMPANIES IN THE FIELD OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

1\. Commendation activities must be conducted regularly and promptly; evaluations must be open, fair, democratic, and based on competition standards.

2\. Emphasis should be placed on commending individuals and small groups who achieve outstanding results and focus on key tasks during each period.

3\. Commendation for annual achievements shall only be given to units and individuals that organize competition movements and conduct mid-term and final reviews of such movements.

4\. Results from commending outstanding achievements will be considered when evaluating comprehensive annual achievements as well as during specific periods.

5\. Each form of commendation may be awarded multiple times to the same subject if the achievements in different periods are equivalent.

6\. Forms of commendation include: meritorious titles (excellent worker, model worker, excellent worker collective, outstanding worker collective); certificates of merit, commendation certificates, flags of merit, labor medals of various classes. Each form of commendation corresponds to a corresponding achievement.

7\. In the same year or at the same time of evaluation for commendation, if both the collective and individual achievements meet the criteria for multiple forms of commendation, only the highest form of commendation shall be awarded. For example, if a person meets the criteria for both the title of "Model Worker at the Base Level" and "Model Worker in the Transportation Sector," then only the latter title shall be awarded that year. The above provision also applies similarly to other forms of commendation: certificates of merit, commendation certificates from the Ministry of Transport, commendation certificates from the Government, various types of flags of merit.

8\. Spiritual commendation should be combined with material rewards.

9\. Commendation at each level shall be decided by the head of the unit or organization at that level upon recommendation of the Competition and Commendation Council at the same level.

10\. Forms of commendation summarizing achievements during the resistance war; commendation according to Circular No. 38/TT-TW; commendation of Independence Medals, Ho Chi Minh Medals, Golden Star Medals; Military Service Medals, Battle Merit Medals; bestowal of national honorary titles shall continue to be implemented according to current regulations.

11\. The object of commendation "Base Unit" is uniformly understood as follows: For economic organizations, it refers to independent accounting units. For public service units, it refers to those with legal personality and their own seals, such as schools, research institutes, hospitals, centers, etc.

- The object "Small Collective" is uniformly understood as: a member unit within the base unit such as departments, offices, teams, production units, workshops, departments, etc.

- The object "Superior Base Unit" in the Transportation Sector is uniformly understood to include the following units: Vietnam Road Administration, Vietnam Maritime Administration, Vietnam Inland Waterway Administration, Vietnam Vehicle Inspection Administration, Vietnam Railway Corporation, General Companies established under Decision Nos. 91/TTg and 90/TTg, and the Department of Health of the Ministry of Transport.

12\. Physical items serving competition and commendation activities include: badges for Model Workers in the Transportation Sector, templates for certificates of meritorious titles, flags of merit, commendation certificates, and certificates of merit, which units shall implement uniformly according to the templates prescribed by the Ministry of Transport (with attached appendices).

II\. OBJECTS, FORMS, AND CRITERIA FOR COMMENDATION AWARDS IN THE TRANSPORTATION SECTOR:

1\. Common objects:

- Officials, workers, employees; collectives and units under the Transportation Sector and under the management authority of the Minister of Transport.

- Organizations and individuals inside and outside the country who have made contributions to the construction and development of the Transportation Sector.

2\. Forms of commendation include:

- Meritorious titles (excellent worker, model worker at the base level, model worker in the Transportation Sector, excellent worker collective, outstanding worker collective).

- Certificates of merit

- Commendation certificates

- Flags of merit

3\. Objects, criteria, time limits, and authority to award:

a\. Title of "Excellent Worker":

+ Criteria:

- Proficient in assigned professional skills, understanding related skills. Working with discipline, quality, always exceeding assigned work tasks. Promoting teamwork spirit to complete unit tasks and plans.

- Adhering to all Party policies and state laws, industry regulations, and unit rules. Promoting thrift, fighting corruption, waste, fraud, smuggling, actively participating in building civilized lifestyles, new cultural families, exemplary communities. Actively participating in social activities.

- Actively studying to improve cultural, professional, and political theory levels.

- Actively participating in competitions initiated by the unit.

+ The title of "Excellent Worker" shall be awarded annually and decided by the head of the base unit.

+ Individuals receiving the title of Excellent Worker shall be awarded a certificate of merit along with a stipulated monetary reward.

b\. Title of "Model Worker at the Base Level"

+ Criteria:

- Must meet the criteria for the title of "Excellent Worker" at an outstanding level.

- Must have technical innovations or improvements at the base level or higher, or must have successfully applied such innovations or improvements, generating significant economic and social benefits and setting a good example.

+ The title "Model Worker at the Grassroots Level" is awarded once a year and is decided by the immediate superior authority's head of the grassroots-level unit based on the proposal of the grassroots-level commendation council. If the grassroots-level unit is under the Ministry, the decision is made by the unit's head based on the proposal of the same-level commendation council.

+ Individuals awarded the title "Model Worker at the Grassroots Level" shall be granted a certificate accompanied by a monetary award as prescribed by regulations.

c) The title "Model Worker in the Transport Industry"

+ Criteria:

- Is an outstanding individual among those who have been awarded the title "Model Worker at the Grassroots Level" and must have continuously received this title for two to three years within each five-year plan.

+ The title "Model Worker in the Transport Industry" is reviewed twice every five years, in the third and fifth years of the five-year plan, and is decided by the Minister of the Transport Industry.

+ Individuals awarded the title "Model Worker in the Transport Industry" shall be granted a certificate, awarded a medal for Model Workers in the Transport Industry, and given a monetary award as prescribed by regulations.

d) The title "Excellent Labor Collective":

+ Object: Small collectives within grassroots-level units.

+ Criteria:

- Collectives that comprehensively fulfill their assigned tasks or production plans; have regular and effective competition movements.

- At least 30% of individuals in the collective have been awarded the title "Excellent Worker"; the unit has no member disciplined with a warning or higher penalty.

- Collectives that strictly adhere to the Party's policies, state laws, industry regulations, and unit rules; set examples during competition campaigns; are united, strong, and actively participate in social activities.

+ The title "Excellent Labor Collective" is reviewed annually for commendation and is decided by the head of the grassroots-level unit.

+ Collectives awarded the title "Excellent Labor Collective" shall be granted a certificate accompanied by a monetary award as prescribed by regulations.

đ) The title "Outstanding Labor Collective":

+ Object: Small collectives within grassroots-level units:

+ Criteria:

- Are exemplary among collectives awarded the title "Excellent Labor Collective".

- At least 50% of individuals in the collective have been awarded the title "Excellent Worker", including those who have achieved the title "Model Worker at the Grassroots Level". There is no member in the unit disciplined with a warning or higher penalty.

- Collectives that set examples in adhering to the Party's policies, state laws, industry regulations, and unit rules; actively participate in social activities and prevent social evils; actively combat corruption, waste, smuggling; are united, clean, and strong.

+ The title "Outstanding Labor Collective" is reviewed annually for commendation and is decided by the head of the superior grassroots-level unit based on the proposal of the grassroots-level commendation council. If the unit is directly under the Ministry, the decision is made by the unit's head.

+ Collectives awarded the title "Outstanding Labor Collective" shall be granted a certificate and given a monetary award as prescribed by regulations.

e) Commendation Certificate:

+ A commendation certificate is a form of commendation by the head of the superior grassroots-level unit or by the head of grassroots-level units directly under the Ministry (such as schools, institutes, companies, etc., directly under the Ministry).

+ Commendation certificates are awarded to:

- Individuals and collectives achieving the titles "Outstanding Worker" and "Outstanding Labor Collective".

- Individuals and collectives with outstanding achievements during annual competitions, short-term competitions, successfully completing projects or products, or having outstanding achievements in work, production, social activities, etc.

+ Commendation certificates are decided by the head of the superior grassroots-level unit or the head of grassroots-level units directly under the Ministry based on the proposal of the grassroots-level commendation council or the same-level council.

+ Individuals and collectives awarded commendation certificates shall be presented with the certificate along with a frame and a monetary award as prescribed by regulations.

f) Commendation Decree:

+ The commendation decree of the Minister of the Transport Industry is awarded to:

- Individuals achieving the title "Model Worker in the Transport Industry".

- Individuals and collectives with outstanding achievements in annual competitions, short-term competitions; successfully completing major projects or products, key tasks of the industry; having outstanding achievements in work, production, social activities, etc., with positive impacts in the field or throughout the transport industry.

+ Commendation decrees are decided by the Minister of the Transport Industry based on the proposals of the heads of subordinate units and the industry's commendation council.

+ Individuals and collectives awarded commendation decrees from the Minister shall be presented with the decree along with a frame and a monetary award as prescribed by regulations.

h) Competition Flag:

Within the scope of the Ministry of Transport, there are two forms of competition flags:

- Competition flag of the superior grassroots-level unit

- Competition flag of the Ministry of Transport

* Competition flag of the superior grassroots-level unit:

- Units such as the Vietnam Highway Administration, Vietnam Maritime Administration, Vietnam Inland Waterway Administration, Vietnam Vehicle Inspection Administration, Vietnam Railway Corporation, General Companies established by Decision 90 and 91/TTg, Health Departments of Transport, cooperatives, private companies, limited liability companies, etc., participating in transport business in localities, counties, towns with achievements in rural and mountainous area transportation development can hang the annual competition flag of the unit.

+ The number of competition flags is decided by the unit's head but must ensure rationality and have a positive motivating effect on the competition movement of the unit.

+ The competition flag of the superior grassroots-level unit is awarded to grassroots-level units with many achievements but not reaching the level for the Ministry's competition flag.

+ This form of competition flag is reviewed annually for commendation and is decided by the head of the superior grassroots-level unit based on the proposal of the grassroots-level unit's head and the same-level commendation council.

+ Units awarded the superior grassroots-level competition flag shall be presented with the flag along with a monetary award as prescribed by regulations.

* Competition flag of the Ministry of Transport

+ Object: Units under the Ministry, Provincial Transport Departments (Transport and Communications), grassroots-level units under Provincial Transport Departments (Transport and Communications), non-state-owned units in localities (cooperatives, private companies, limited liability companies, etc., participating in transport business), counties, towns with achievements in rural and mountainous area transportation development.

+ The number of competition flags of the Ministry will be specifically defined annually depending on the situation of the competition movement.

+ Criteria:

- The unit must comprehensively exceed all assigned plan targets and tasks for the year and be classified as an outstanding exemplar within the Ministry.

- Achieve high labor productivity, economic efficiency, and work performance. Effectively address employment and living conditions for workers.

- Possess new factors and models for other units within the Ministry and Sector to emulate, practicing thrift, combating corruption, smuggling, and social evils.

+ The flag of competition excellence of the Ministry of Transport is awarded once annually and decided upon by the Minister.

+ Units receiving the competition excellence flag from the Ministry are also awarded a sum of money as stipulated by regulations.

III/ OBJECTS, FORMS, AND STANDARDS FOR RECOGNITION AWARDS BY THE STATE GOVERNMENT, PRIME MINISTER, AND THE COUNTRY, REVIEWED BY THE MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT OR THE ASSOCIATION:THE STATE, TO BE REVIEWED AND SUBMITTED BY THE MINISTRY OF TRANSPORTATION OR THE ASSOCIATION OF TRANSPORTATION:

1/ Title of "National Model Worker":

+ Object: Civil servants, workers, and employees working at agencies and units under the management of the Minister of Transport.

+ Criteria:

- A "National Model Worker" is the most outstanding individual among those who have continuously achieved the title of "Transport Sector Model Worker" twice within a five-year plan.

+ The title of "National Model Worker" is reviewed for award every five years during the final year of the plan period, proposed by the Minister of Transport and decided upon by the Prime Minister.

+ Individuals recognized with the title of National Model Worker receive a certificate, a medal, and a sum of money as stipulated by regulations.

2/ Commendation Certificate of the Prime Minister:

* Comprehensive achievement commendation for each phase:

+ For groups: Units that have been continuously awarded commendation certificates by the Ministry of Transport for three consecutive years or have been continuously awarded the title of "Outstanding Labor Collective" for three years or more, and then further improved their achievements.

+ For individuals: Those who have been awarded commendation certificates by the Minister of Transport for three consecutive years or have been continuously awarded the title of "Model Worker at the Base Level" for five years, and then further improved their achievements.

* Outstanding achievement commendation:

- Groups and individuals who achieve outstanding results suddenly: during a competition phase, in a key task, completing projects or products, having innovative improvements or applying advanced technology with significant value, demonstrating courageous actions to protect socialist public property, rescue victims, combat negative practices, etc.

+ The commendation certificate of the Prime Minister is proposed by the Minister of Transport and decided upon by the Prime Minister.

+ Individuals and groups recognized with the commendation certificate of the Prime Minister receive a certificate, a frame, and a sum of money as stipulated by regulations.

3/ Flag of Competition Excellence of the Government:

* Object:

- Units under the management of the Minister of Transport.

- Cadres and people from provinces, cities, districts, and towns with outstanding achievements in rural and mountainous transportation development movements.

* Standards:

- Leading units in terms of productivity, quality, economic efficiency, and work performance within the transport sector.

- Provinces, cities, districts, and towns leading a region or the country in terms of achievements in rural and mountainous transportation development movements.

- Possessing new factors and exemplary models for nationwide emulation; taking the lead in practicing thrift, combating waste, corruption, smuggling, and social evils effectively.

+ The flag of competition excellence of the Government is reviewed for award once annually and proposed by the Minister of Transport, decided upon by the Prime Minister.

+ Units recognized with the flag of competition excellence of the Government receive the flag and a sum of money as stipulated by regulations.

4/ Labor Medal:

4-1: For individuals: Propose for awarding the Third-Class Labor Medal to individuals meeting one of the following criteria:

- Continuously received the title of "Model Worker at the Base Level" for ten years.

- Continuously received the title of "Transport Sector Model Worker" three times consecutively, or are outstanding individuals in the Transport Sector among those who have received the title of National Model Worker.

- Received commendation from the Prime Minister for achievements in a phase, followed by being awarded commendation certificates by the Minister of Transport for three consecutive years.

Propose for awarding the Second-Class Labor Medal to individuals meeting one of the following criteria:

- Continuously received the title of "National Model Worker" two times or more.

- Received the Third-Class Labor Medal, followed by being awarded commendation certificates by the Minister of Transport for four or more consecutive years for comprehensive annual achievements.

Propose for awarding the First-Class Labor Medal to individuals meeting one of the following criteria:

- Continuously received the title of "National Model Worker" three times or more.

- Received the Second-Class Labor Medal, followed by being awarded commendation certificates by the Minister of Transport for five consecutive years for comprehensive annual achievements.

4-2: For groups:

General Standards:

- High growth rate in revenue, service volume, or workload.

- High productivity, quality, and efficiency in production and business activities, services, or assigned tasks. For production and business units or those with income, they must fulfill their state budget obligations.

- Actively protect the environment, continuously improve material and spiritual living standards, and implement good policies for workers. Actively participate in social activities.

The awarding of the Labor Medal to groups is based on their achievements as follows:

- Award the Third-Class Labor Medal to groups that have been awarded commendation certificates by the Prime Minister or the competition excellence flag of the Ministry of Transport during the review period, or have been awarded commendation certificates by the Minister of Transport for excellent achievements in other years, or have been awarded the outstanding competition excellence flag from superior units for five years.

- Award the Second-Class Labor Medal to groups that have been awarded the Third-Class Labor Medal and then have been awarded the competition excellence flag by the Government at least once or the competition excellence flag of the Ministry of Transport for two years during the review period, or have been awarded commendation certificates by the Minister of Transport for seven years for comprehensive annual achievements.

- Award the First-Class Labour Medal to collectives that have been awarded the Second-Class Labour Medal and subsequently, during the period under consideration for commendation, have received two years of Flag of Excellence from the Government or three years of Flag of Excellence from the Ministry of Transport, or ten years as outstanding units recognized annually with a Certificate of Merit from the Minister of Transport.

+ For commendation with the Labour Medal for outstanding achievements, the level of commendation will be determined based on the degree of achievement attained.

+ The awarding of the Labour Medal by the Minister of Transport shall be proposed or co-signed for proposal, and recommended by the Prime Minister, with the decision made by the President of the State.

+ Collectives and individuals receiving the Labour Medal at various levels shall be awarded the medal, along with its frame, and a sum of money as stipulated by regulations.

IV/ PROCEDURES, CONTENT OF APPLICATIONS AND PROPOSAL FOR COMMENDATION:

1/ Regarding the procedures for proposing commendations:

The Ministry of Transport is responsible for proposing commendations in the form of Flags of Excellence from the Government and Certificates of Merit from the Prime Minister for units and individuals as follows:

- Units directly under the Ministry of Transport, and individuals who are officers, workers, and employees working in agencies and units under the Ministry.

- Collectives of Provincial Departments of Transport (Provincial Departments of Transportation and Communications), and directors of Provincial Departments of Transport (Provincial Departments of Transportation and Communications).

- Collectives of General Companies and General Directors of General Companies established pursuant to Decision 91/TTg of the Prime Minister.

Applications for commendation submitted by the Ministry of Transport for units directly under the Ministry, heads of establishments, or heads of higher-level units, collectives of Provincial Departments of Transport (Provincial Departments of Transportation and Communications), and directors of Provincial Departments of Transport (Provincial Departments of Transportation and Communications) must include a cooperative opinion letter from the People's Committee of the province or centrally-administered city regarding compliance with tax obligations, labor management, care for the lives of workers, and implementation of Party and State policies within their jurisdiction.

For General Companies established pursuant to Decision 91/TTg, when proposing commendations in the form of the Labour Medal for units and individuals within the General Company, a cooperative opinion letter from the Ministry of Transport is required.

2/ Content of applications for commendation proposed by the Ministry of Transport or proposed and co-signed by the Ministry of Transport for recommendation to the Prime Minister, the Government, and the President:

+ Applications for commendation for annual achievements or specific periods:

- A proposal for commendation issued by the head of units directly under the Ministry, or the director of Provincial Departments of Transport (Provincial Departments of Transportation and Communications).

- A report on the achievements of the collective or individual being proposed for commendation, confirmed by the head and the Chairman of the Trade Union at the same level of the unit being proposed, and confirmed by the head of the directly superior unit of the unit being proposed for commendation.

- For production and business units and service units at the grassroots level, a confirmation letter from the Tax Office stating that they have fully fulfilled their tax obligations to the State is required.

- The process of soliciting cooperative opinions on commendations from provinces and centrally-administered cities by the Ministry of Transport shall be conducted after the Ministry's Commendation Council has agreed to propose commendations.

+ Applications for exceptional commendations: These should be simple and timely, including a proposal letter from the head of units directly under the Ministry, or the director of Provincial Departments of Transport (Provincial Departments of Transportation and Communications), accompanied by a summary of the achievements of the collectives and individuals being proposed for commendation.

3/ Deadline for submitting applications for commendation:

+ For exceptional achievements, applications for commendation should be prepared immediately, with the latest submission deadline being one week after the achievement is established.

+ For comprehensive achievements:

- Flags of Excellence from the Ministry of Transport and the Government: by December 10th each year.

- Certificates of Merit from the Ministry and the title of "Outstanding Worker in the Transport Industry": no later than March 31st of the following year.

- Certificates of Merit from the Prime Minister and the Labour Medal announced on May 1st, with applications submitted before March 10th each year.

- Certificates of Merit from the Prime Minister and the Labour Medal at various levels announced on September 2nd, with applications submitted before July 10th each year.

- Certificates of Merit from the Prime Minister and the Labour Medal for achievements in labor, war invalids, and social affairs (announced on July 27th), with applications submitted before May 30th each year.

- Certificates of Merit from the Prime Minister and the Labour Medal for achievements in education and training (announced on November 20th), with applications submitted before September 30th each year.

V/ LEVEL OF REWARD AND FUNDS FOR COMMENDATION:

The level of reward and funds for commendation shall be applied according to the provisions set forth in Circular No. 24/1999/BTC-TT, and the Ministry will provide specific guidance separately.

VI/ IMPLEMENTATION ORGANIZATION:

1- Heads of agencies and units are responsible for establishing the Organization for Competition and Commendation Council and a specialized staff to assist in competition and commendation work at their respective levels according to the model prescribed by the Prime Minister in Decision No. 154/1998/QĐ-TTg dated August 25, 1998. The Competition Council operates according to the regulations promulgated together with Decision No. 01/QĐ-HĐTĐKT-TW dated November 3, 1998 by the Prime Minister, and according to Decisions No. 2662/QĐ-GTVT dated October 21, 1998 by the Minister of Transport on the establishment of the Competition and Commendation Council of the Ministry of Transport, and Decision No. 1314/QĐ-HĐTĐKT-BGTVT dated June 2, 1999 by the Minister of Transport on the operational regulations of the Competition and Commendation Council of the Ministry of Transport.

Pending detailed guidance from the Government's Organizational Cadre Management Board regarding the organizational structure and staffing of competition cadres at all levels as required by Decree No. 56/1998/NĐ-CP, units are requested to ensure adequate full-time or part-time staff to assist the Competition and Commendation Council of their unit to meet the requirements of competition and commendation work in the new situation.

2- The permanent office and Competition Councils at all levels have the responsibility to assist the heads of agencies and units, coordinate well with political and social organizations, under the leadership of the same-level Party Committee, based on political tasks and goals to organize competitive movements in their units; Strictly implement directives and guidelines from superiors; coordinate with units in the same sector and profession to organize competitive agreements; organize good mid-term and final reviews, draw lessons, select and promote exemplary models.

3- This Circular shall take effect fifteen days from the date of signature. All previous regulations issued by the Ministry of Transport guiding the implementation of Decree 104/CP dated July 18, 1963, Decree 80/CP dated May 13, 1964, Decree No. 53/HĐBT dated February 25, 1985, and Decree No. 247/HĐBT dated September 23, 1985 shall be abolished from the date this Circular takes effect.

Heads of agencies and units shall be responsible for organizing and implementing this Circular. Any difficulties encountered should be promptly reported to the Standing Committee of the Ministry's Competition and Rewards Council (Ministry Office) for coordination and resolution.