Decree No. 56/1998/NĐ-CP stipulates the forms, subjects, and criteria for awards granted by the Government, Ministries, ministerial-level agencies, government agencies, People's Committees at all levels; detailing the criteria for Labor Medal awards.

DECREE

Prescribes forms, subjects, and criteria for awards granted by the Government, Ministries, agencies at the ministerial level, government agencies, People's Committees at all levels; specifies the criteria for awarding the Labor Medal.

THE GOVERNMENT

Pursuant to the Government Organization Law dated September 30, 1992;

Pursuant to Decree No. 65b dated May 1, 1950 issued by the President establishing the Labor Medal

To promote patriotic emulation movements, promptly and accurately recognize achievements of individuals and groups who have made worthy contributions to the construction and defense of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam;

Considering the proposal of the Minister, Head of the Government Office and the Director of the State Awards Institute.

DECREE:

PART I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. This Decree stipulates the forms, subjects, and criteria for awards granted by the Government, Ministries, agencies at the ministerial level, government agencies, People's Committees at all levels; specifies the criteria for awarding the Labor Medal to individuals and groups with outstanding achievements in economic and social tasks and national defense.

Other forms of awarding medals other than the Labor Medal, awards of Medals and honorary titles shall be implemented according to current regulations.

Article 2. Citizens of Vietnam, state agencies, economic organizations, social organizations, people's armed forces units, the Vietnam Fatherland Front and its member organizations, foreigners, foreign agencies and organizations, international organizations that have achievements in building and defending the Socialist Republic of Vietnam shall be awarded by the Government of Vietnam or proposed to the President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam for awards.

Article 3. The awarding must ensure the following principles:

1. Public evaluation, accurate, timely;

2. Based on the degree and scope of influence of the achievement to consider the award;

3. Each form of award can be given multiple times to the same subject;

4. Emphasize awards for individuals, grassroots units, small groups within grassroots units; individuals and groups working in key areas of the country;

5. Combine spiritual rewards with material rewards.

Article 4. Specific forms of awards for individuals and groups are decided by those authorized.

Article 5. Ministers, Heads of agencies at the ministerial level, government agencies; Chairmen of People's Committees at all levels shall take the lead in coordinating with political and social organizations at the same level to maintain and expand emulation movements within their jurisdiction and actively identify and select individuals and groups with meritorious achievements for awards or propose higher-level awards.

Chapter II

FORMS, SUBJECTS AND CRITERIA FOR AWARDS

Article 6. Forms of awards granted by the Government, Prime Minister, Ministries, agencies at the ministerial level, government agencies, People's Committees at all levels include:

1. Commendation title;

2. Flag of commendation;

3. Certificate of commendation;

4. Award certificate.

Article 7. Forms of awards for commendation titles for individuals include:

1. For economic sectors, administrative agencies, public institutions:

a. Outstanding worker;

b. Model worker at the grassroots level;

c. Model worker of province/city, model worker of central ministry/sector;

d. National model worker.

2. For the People's Army and People's Police:

a. Excellent soldier;

b. Model worker at the grassroots level;

c. Model worker of province/city, model worker of central ministry/sector;

d. National model worker.

Article 8. - Excellent Working Unit with Distinction - Advanced School with Distinction.

1. For economic sectors, administrative agencies, public institutions:

a. Outstanding labor collective:

b. Excellent labor collective.

2. For the People's Army and People's Police:

a. Excellent unit;

b. Victorious unit.

Article 9. Form of award for commendation title for households is Model Household.

Article 10. Specific criteria for forms of awards for commendation titles as prescribed in Article 7 of this Decree include:

1. Outstanding Worker, Excellent Soldier: Individuals awarded the Outstanding Worker or Excellent Soldier title must meet the following criteria:

a. Proficient in specialty, completing assigned tasks beyond expectations, achieving high productivity and quality;

b. Adhering well to Party policies and state laws; having self-reliance spirit; fostering unity and mutual assistance; actively participating in emulation movements;

c. Actively studying politics, culture, technology, and professional skills.

The Outstanding Worker and Excellent Soldier titles are reviewed annually for awards and decided by the head of the grassroots unit.

Individuals awarded the Outstanding Worker or Excellent Soldier title will receive a certificate and a stipulated amount of money.

2. Model Worker at the Grassroots Level:

Individuals awarded the Model Worker at the Grassroots Level title must meet the following criteria:

a. Completing assigned tasks beyond expectations; achieving high productivity, efficiency, and effectiveness; actively promoting innovations and applying new technologies;

b. Serving as a role model in adhering to Party policies and state laws; having self-reliance spirit; fostering unity and mutual assistance; actively participating in emulation movements;

c. Actively studying politics, culture, technology, and professional skills.

The Model Worker at the Grassroots Level title is reviewed annually for awards and decided by the Chairman of the Provincial/Municipal People's Committee and the Minister or Head of the agency at the ministerial level, government agency.

Individuals awarded the Model Worker at the Grassroots Level title will receive a certificate and a stipulated amount of money.

3. Model Worker of Province/City, Model Worker of Central Ministry/Sector:

Individuals awarded the Model Worker of Province/City, Model Worker of Central Ministry/Sector title are the most outstanding among Model Workers at the Grassroots Level and have been Model Workers at the Grassroots Level for three consecutive years, or even if not for three consecutive years, their achievements must serve as exemplary models for the province/city or sector.

The Model Worker of Province/City, Model Worker of Central Ministry/Sector title is reviewed twice every five years, in the third and fifth year of the five-year plan, and decided by the Chairman of the Provincial/Municipal People's Committee and the Minister or Head of the agency at the ministerial level, government agency.

Individuals awarded the title of Model Worker of the province, centrally-run city, or Model Worker of the central ministry or sector shall be granted a certificate and awarded a Medal of Model Worker of the province, centrally-run city, or Model Worker of the central ministry or sector, along with a sum of money as prescribed by regulations.

4. National Model Worker.

Individuals awarded the title of National Model Worker must be outstanding among those who have been recognized as Model Workers of the province, centrally-run city, or Model Workers of the central ministry or sector, and must have consecutively received the title of Model Worker of the province, centrally-run city or Model Worker of the central ministry or sector for two consecutive years.

The title of National Model Worker is reviewed and awarded once every five years at the end of a five-year plan as decided by the Prime Minister. Individuals awarded the title of National Model Worker shall be granted a certificate and awarded a Medal of National Model Worker, along with a sum of money as prescribed by regulations.

Article 11. Specific criteria for the forms of commendation and awards stipulated in Article 8 of this Decree include:

1. Excellent Labor Collective, Outstanding Unit: Small collectives within grassroots units that are awarded the title of Excellent Labor Collective or Outstanding Unit must meet the following criteria:

a. Completing assigned tasks and plans, organizing regular and effective competitive activities;

b. At least 30% of individuals in the unit being awarded the title of Excellent Worker or Excellent Soldier, and there being no individual disciplined with a warning or higher penalty;

c. Adhering to Party guidelines, policies, and state laws, building a united and strong collective.

The title of Excellent Labor Collective or Outstanding Unit is reviewed and awarded annually by the head of the grassroots unit.

Collectives awarded the title of Excellent Labor Collective or Outstanding Unit shall be granted a certificate and awarded a sum of money as prescribed by regulations.

2. Outstanding Labor Collective, Decisive Victory Unit:

Small collectives within grassroots units that are awarded the title of Outstanding Labor Collective or Decisive Victory Unit must meet the following criteria:

a. Innovatively overcoming difficulties, excellently completing assigned tasks, fulfilling all obligations to the state; Organizing regular and practical competitive activities that are emulated by other units;

b. At least 50% of individuals being awarded the title of Excellent Worker or Excellent Soldier, and having individuals awarded the title of Model Worker, with no individual disciplined with a warning or higher penalty;

c. Leading by example in adhering to Party guidelines, policies, and state laws; maintaining a clean, united, and strong collective.

The title of Outstanding Labor Collective or Decisive Victory Unit is reviewed and awarded annually by the Chairman of the People's Committee of the province or centrally-run city, the Minister, or the head of an agency equivalent to a ministry under the Government.

Outstanding Labor Collectives or Decisive Victory Units shall be granted a certificate and awarded a sum of money as prescribed by regulations.

Article 12. The Ministry of Education and Training shall take the lead in coordinating with the State Awards Institute to establish the form and specific criteria for commendation and award titles for individuals and collectives of students and pupils across the country.

Article 13. Specific criteria for the title of Model Family:

Families awarded the title of Model Family at commune, ward, or town level must meet the following criteria:

1. Being a family that organizes labor production, business, and study with high productivity, quality, economic efficiency, and work performance;

2. Having a harmonious and happy family life;

3. Serving as a model in adhering to Party policies and state laws, actively participating in local movements.

The title of Model Family is reviewed and awarded annually by the Chairman of the People's Committee of the district.

Model Families shall be granted a certificate and awarded a sum of money as prescribed by regulations.

Article 14. Forms of commendation through awarding flags include:

1. Flag of Competition of the province, centrally-run city, or central ministry or sector;

2. Flag of Competition of the Government.

Article 15. The objects and specific criteria for the forms of commendation through awarding flags as stipulated in Article 14 of this Decree include:

1. Flag of Competition of the province, centrally-run city:

Cooperatives in various industries; grassroots units under the direct management of the province or centrally-run city; communes, districts, and equivalent levels; Departments, Bureaus, and organizations under the provincial or centrally-run city government must meet the following criteria to be awarded the Flag of Competition of the province or centrally-run city:

a. Exceeding all planned targets and tasks comprehensively throughout the year, standing out as exemplary;

b. Achieving high productivity, quality, economic efficiency, and work performance;

c. Having new factors and models for emulation by other units in the locality, effectively practicing thrift, combating corruption, smuggling, and social evils.

The Flag of Competition of the province or centrally-run city is reviewed and awarded annually by the Chairman of the People's Committee of the province or centrally-run city.

Units awarded the Flag of Competition of the province or centrally-run city shall be granted the flag and awarded a sum of money as prescribed by regulations.

2. Flag of Competition of the central ministry or sector:

Grassroots units directly managed by the central ministry or sector, Departments, Bureaus under the provincial or centrally-run city government must meet the following criteria to be awarded the Flag of Competition of the central ministry or sector:

a. Exceeding all planned targets and tasks comprehensively throughout the year, standing out as exemplary within the ministry or sector;

b. Achieving high productivity, quality, economic efficiency, and work performance;

c. Having new factors and models for emulation by other units within the ministry or sector, effectively practicing thrift, combating corruption, smuggling, and social evils.

The Flag of Competition of the central ministry or sector is reviewed and awarded annually by the Minister or the head of an agency equivalent to a ministry under the Government.

Units awarded the Flag of Competition of the central ministry or sector shall be granted the flag and awarded a sum of money as prescribed by regulations.

3. Flag of Competition of the Government:

Cooperatives belonging to various trades; communes, districts, and equivalent levels; units under ministries, central mass organizations; departments, bureaus, sectors, and political-social organizations at provincial and centrally governed city levels that are awarded the Prime Minister's Flag of Excellence must meet the following criteria:

a. Leading cooperatives within their respective trades; leading communes; leading districts; leading departments, bureaus, and sectors; leading political-social organizations; leading grassroots units within the same economic and technical sector managed by central ministries and sectors in fully and significantly exceeding all assigned plan targets and tasks for the year;

b. Leading in productivity, quality, and economic efficiency, work performance;

c. Having new factors and models exemplary for the whole country to learn from; taking the lead in practicing thrift, combating waste, corruption, smuggling, and social evils effectively.

The Prime Minister's Flag of Excellence is reviewed and awarded once a year and decided upon by the Prime Minister.
Units awarded the Prime Minister's Flag of Excellence are granted the flag along with a monetary award as stipulated by regulations.

Article 16. Forms of commendation include Certificates of Merit and Awards of Merit issued by the Government, Ministries, agencies equivalent to Ministries, and government agencies, People's Committees at all levels, which include:

Certificate of Merit issued by the Chairman of the People's Committee of commune, ward, town.

Certificate of Merit issued by the Chairman of the People's Committee of district, urban district.

Certificate of Merit issued by the Director of Department, Bureau, Sector, and equivalent units under the People's Committee of province, centrally governed city.

Award of Merit issued by the Chairman of the People's Committee of province, centrally governed city; Award of Merit issued by the Minister, head of agency equivalent to a Ministry, government agency.

Award of Merit issued by the Prime Minister.

Article 17. Specific criteria for commendations as prescribed in Article 16 of this Decree include:

1. Certificate of Merit issued by the Chairman of the People's Committee of commune, ward, town; Chairman of the People's Committee of district, urban district; Director of Department and equivalent units is a form of commendation for individuals and collectives conducted regularly upon completion of a campaign, a project, or for outstanding achievements, good deeds serving as role models within the commune, district, and departmental units of the province.

The Certificate of Merit issued by the Chairman of the Commune is decided by the Chairman of the Commune, the Certificate of Merit issued by the Chairman of the District is decided by the Chairman of the District, and the Certificate of Merit issued by the Director of the Department is decided by the Director of the Department.

Individuals and collectives receiving Certificates of Merit at various levels are awarded Certificates of Merit accompanied by a frame and a monetary reward as stipulated by regulations.

2. Award of Merit issued by the Chairman of the People's Committee of province, centrally governed city, Award of Merit issued by the Minister, Head of agency equivalent to a Ministry, government agency is reviewed and awarded once a year or upon completion of a campaign, a project, or the entire project; for outstanding achievements, good deeds having significant influence within a province, ministry, or sector.

The Award of Merit issued by the Chairman of the People's Committee of province, centrally governed city, Award of Merit issued by the Minister, Head of agency equivalent to a Ministry, government agency is decided by the Chairman of the People's Committee of province, centrally governed city, Minister, Head of agency equivalent to a Ministry, government agency.

Individuals and collectives of Vietnamese citizens awarded the Award of Merit by the Chairman of the People's Committee of province, centrally governed city, Award of Merit by the Minister, Head of agency equivalent to a Ministry, government agency are awarded the Award of Merit accompanied by a frame and a monetary reward as stipulated by regulations. Foreign individuals and international organizations contributing to the economic, cultural, and social development of localities, ministries, or sectors are awarded the Award of Merit by the Chairman of the People's Committee of province, centrally governed city and the Award of Merit by the Minister, Head of agency equivalent to a Ministry, government agency accompanied by a frame.

3. Award of Merit issued by the Prime Minister:

Individuals and collectives awarded the Award of Merit by the Prime Minister must meet the following criteria:

a. Individuals and collectives with outstanding and exemplary achievements of ministries, sectors, provinces, cities annually;

b. Individuals and collectives who have been awarded the Award of Merit by the province, city, ministry, central sector for three consecutive years and achieved new outstanding achievements; or individuals awarded the title of Model Worker for five years or more;

c. Collectives awarded the title of Excellent Laborer or Victory Unit or Model Family three times or more.

The Award of Merit issued by the Prime Minister is decided by the Prime Minister.

Individuals and collectives awarded the Award of Merit by the Prime Minister are granted the Award of Merit, accompanied by a frame and a monetary reward as stipulated by regulations.

Article 18. Criteria for awarding Orders of Labor are as follows:

1. Awarding the Order of Labor, Third Class, to individuals who have been Model Workers at the grassroots level ten times or more, or Model Workers at the provincial or centrally governed city level, Model Workers at the sector level three times or more, or those who are outstanding among National Model Workers, and excellent collectives at the provincial or sector level for five years or more.

2. Awarding the Order of Labor, Second Class, to individuals who are outstanding and exemplary among National Model Workers twice and excellent collectives at the regional level for three years or more.

3. Awarding the Order of Labor, First Class, to individuals who are outstanding and exemplary among National Model Workers three times and excellent collectives at the national level for four years or more.

Article 19. Enterprises belonging to various economic components and cooperatives belonging to various trades that are awarded Orders of Labor must meet the following criteria:

1. Average annual growth rate of revenue (for business activities). Average annual growth rate of total value of production, main products, or volume of service work (for public welfare activities).

2. High production efficiency, quality, and business effectiveness, strictly fulfilling tax obligations to the State (for commercial activities). High production efficiency and service quality (for public welfare activities).

3. Good environmental protection, continuously improving the material and spiritual living standards of workers, and properly implementing labor policies and benefits.

The awarding of Labor Medals of all classes: third class, second class, first class must be based on Clauses 1, 2, and 3 of Article 18 of this Decree.

Article 20. Individuals and organizations operating in fields such as science and technology, culture, art, national security-defense, diplomacy, who are evaluated by competent authorities as outstanding, with achievements valuable to provinces, cities, Ministries, sectors, regions, or nationwide will be awarded Labor Medals of all classes as stipulated in Clauses 1, 2, and 3 of Article 18 of this Decree.

Article 21. Foreign individuals and international organizations with outstanding achievements in assisting Vietnam's economic, cultural, and social development and national defense will be awarded Labor Medals of all classes or Friendship Medals and Orders.

Article 22. The Labor Medal and Friendship Medals and Orders shall be proposed by the Prime Minister for decision by the President.

Individuals and groups awarded Labor Medals of all classes shall be awarded with Medals, accompanied by a frame of commendation and a monetary reward according to the prescribed regulations.

Foreign individuals and international organizations awarded Labor Medals of all classes or awarded Friendship Medals and Orders shall be awarded with certificates, Medals, or Friendship Medals accompanied by Medals, or Medals and a frame of commendation.

Chapter III

PROCEDURES AND CONTENT OF THE APPLICATION FOR AWARDS

Article 23. The awarding of commendations from Certificates of Merit of the Prime Minister upwards, for groups and individuals under central Ministries and sectors (including units under state-owned enterprises established by decision of the Prime Minister) and the awarding of commendations to Departments, Bureaus, and their directors under provincial management by central Ministries and sectors, shall be reviewed and submitted for approval with the agreement of the Provincial People's Committee for cases involving Departments, Department Directors, and grassroots units, and the heads of grassroots units subordinate to Ministries regarding the fulfillment of budgetary obligations, labor management, care for workers' lives, and implementation of Party and State policies within their territories.

The awarding of commendations from Certificates of Merit of the Prime Minister upwards for individuals and groups under the management of centrally-administered provinces and cities shall be reviewed and submitted for approval by the province or city.

The National Commendation and Award Institute shall consult with relevant central Ministries and sectors before submitting to the competent authority for awards.

Article 24. The review and awarding of exceptional achievements must be timely; the application for the Prime Minister's review and award shall be simple, including a recommendation letter from the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, Minister, or head of an equivalent agency, accompanied by a summary of the achievement.

Article 25. The review and awarding of other regular achievements must involve comparison and selection of achievements; provinces, centrally-administered cities, and central Ministries and sectors must verify and compile achievements; annually submit for review and announce awards during the following periods:

1. May 1st period

2. September 2nd period.

3. July 27th period (for Labor and War Invalids and Social Affairs achievements).

4. November 20th period (on Teachers' Day).

The application for the Prime Minister's review and award for the four periods above includes:

a. A recommendation letter for review and award from the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, Minister, or head of a central sector.

b. An achievement record of the individual or unit recommended for award, with confirmation from the immediate superior head.

c. The opinion of the Provincial People's Committee on award cases as stipulated in Article 23 of this Decree.

Chapter IV

AWARD REGIME AND AWARD FUNDS

Article 26. In addition to being awarded forms such as Certificates of Merit, Awards, Flags, Meritorious Worker Badges, Medals, and Orders, awardees also receive a frame of commendation and a monetary reward, with the principle that higher-level awards must have higher monetary rewards than lower-level awards, and monetary rewards are only applicable to awards for long-serving revolutionary cadres, outstanding achievements in economic and social tasks, and national defense. Other annual awards do not include monetary rewards.

Within the same level of award, the monetary reward for groups must be higher than for individuals.

Article 27. The amount of monetary reward accompanying various forms of awards for individuals is based on the minimum monthly wage and is specified as follows:

Excellent worker, excellent soldier, monetary reward not exceeding half a month's salary.

Grassroots Meritorious Worker, monetary reward not exceeding one month's salary.

Provincial Meritorious Worker, Central Ministry Meritorious Worker, monetary reward not exceeding two months' salary.

National Meritorious Worker, monetary reward not exceeding three months' salary.

Certificate of Merit from the Chairman of the Village, District, or Department People's Committee, monetary reward not exceeding half a month's salary.

Certificate of Merit from the Chairman of the Provincial or Centrally-Administered City People's Committee, or from a Minister or head of an equivalent agency, monetary reward not exceeding one month's salary.

Certificate of Merit from the Prime Minister, monetary reward not exceeding two months' salary.

Third-Class Labor Medal, Third-Class Military Service Medal, monetary reward not exceeding four months' salary.

Second-Class Labor Medal, Second-Class Military Service Medal, monetary reward not exceeding eight months' salary.

First-Class Labor Medal, First-Class Military Service Medal, monetary reward not exceeding ten months' salary.

Independence Medal and Military Merit Medal of all classes, monetary reward not exceeding fifteen months' salary.

Ho Chi Minh Medal, monetary reward not exceeding thirty months' salary.

Golden Star Medal, monetary reward not exceeding forty-five months' salary.

Heroes of Labor and Heroes of the People's Armed Forces shall be awarded monetary rewards not exceeding fifteen months' salary.

Article 28. The levels of monetary rewards accompanying commendation forms for groups are stipulated as follows:

1. Groups of outstanding workers, Units of Resolute Victory, and Model Family Groups shall be awarded monetary rewards not exceeding three months' salary.

2. Provincial and municipal flags of merit; flags of merit of Ministries and central agencies shall be awarded monetary rewards not exceeding fifteen months' salary.

3. Government flags of merit shall be awarded monetary rewards not exceeding thirty months' salary.

4. Forms such as certificates of merit; commendation plaques at various levels; medals of all categories and types; titles of Hero of Labor and Hero of the People's Armed Forces shall award monetary rewards to groups twice the level of monetary rewards for individuals as prescribed in Article 27 of this Decree.

Article 29. The commendation fund is allocated from the state budget and from the annual commendation funds of enterprises.

Article 30. The commendation fund includes:

1. Commendation funds of provinces and centrally-administered municipalities; commendation funds of ministries, central agencies, and mass organizations.

2. Commendation funds of enterprises.

Article 31. Annually, the commendation fund of provinces and centrally-administered municipalities is allocated from the state budget at a rate of 0.5% to 1% of the regular budget expenditure. The annual commendation fund of ministries, central agencies, and mass organizations is allocated from the state budget at a rate ranging from 8% of the wage fund (in places with fewer administrative units) to 15% of the wage fund (in places with more administrative units).

Article 32. The head of the agency making the decision on commendation shall simultaneously bear responsibility for disbursing the monetary reward according to the regulations.

For commendation decisions made by the Prime Minister and the President, which are funded from the respective commendation funds of provinces and centrally-administered municipalities and ministries, central agencies, and mass organizations.

Article 33. The Ministry of Finance shall take the lead in coordinating with the National Institute of Competitions and Rewards to provide detailed guidance on monetary rewards accompanying commendation forms, on the establishment and settlement of the annual commendation fund.

CHAPTER V

IMPLEMENTATION PROVISIONS

Article 34. The Ministers, heads of ministries under the Government, and Chairpersons of People's Committees at all levels shall be responsible for improving the organization of competitions and rewards at their respective levels to meet the requirements of the tasks.

Ministries, agencies equivalent to ministries, and agencies under the Government shall improve the Competition and Reward Department under the ministry.

Provinces and centrally-administered municipalities shall improve the Competition and Reward Board of the province or municipality.

The Director of the National Institute of Competitions and Rewards shall coordinate with the Minister and the Head of the Civil Service and Organization Department of the Government to improve the organization of the National Institute of Competitions and Rewards. The Civil Service and Organization Department of the Government shall provide guidance on the organization and staffing of the Competition and Reward Departments of ministries, agencies equivalent to ministries, and agencies under the Government, and the Competition and Reward Boards of provinces and centrally-administered municipalities.

Article 35. This Decree shall take effect fifteen days from the date of signature.

Repeals Decree No. 104/CP dated July 18, 1963, Decree No. 80/CP dated May 13, 1964 of the Council of Ministers; Decree No. 53/HĐBT dated February 25, 1985 and Decree No. 247/HĐBT dated September 23, 1985 of the Council of Ministers (now the Government).

Article 36. The Ministers, heads of agencies equivalent to ministries, heads of agencies under the Government, and Chairpersons of People's Committees of provinces and centrally-administered municipalities shall be responsible for implementing this Decree.