A Review of Salary Policies for Vietnamese Civil Servants from 2010 to 2019

Abstract

The public- sector salary policy is an important part of the socio-economic policy system, directly related to the balances of the economy, state budget and the life of the salary earners. This paper rests on secondary data that are legal documents on salary policy, related data and literature officially published to describe and analyse the salary system for Vietnamese civil servants in governmental agencies from 2010 to 2019. Some issues are outlined for consideration. First, how civil servants are ranked and salary policies for them from 2010 to 2019 are. The salary policy includes salary formula, base pay, minimum wage, allowances, components of the pay scale, pay rise rules. Second, their four characteristics are drawn out consisting of the stable and unified legal system; career-based grade pay system; many allowances; the salary system tends to pay for performance, be market-oriented but not really achieved. Third, some comments, pros and cons of the salary system in this period are explored. Finally, it is summarized that some suggestions, recommendations to improve Vietnamese civil service salary system through minimizing its disadvantages and promoting inherent advantages.

Keywords: Vietnam, salary policy, salary system, public sector, civil servants, career-based system

DOI: 10.7176/PPAR/9-11-03

Publication date: November 30^th 2019