Morning news, Sept. 9: HCMC officials could receive up to VND3 million in additional monthly income

Officials and public employees in Ho Chi Minh City could receive up to VND3 million in additional monthly income under a draft resolution now open for public comment.

The city People's Committee is collecting feedback from organizations and individuals from Sept. 6 through Sept. 18. The proposed policy covers officials, public employees and workers at agencies of the Party, the state, the Vietnam Fatherland Front and political and social organizations.

It would also cover certain employees at the city's public service units, including drivers, security guards, receptionists, service staff, cleaners, parking attendants and workers responsible for maintaining and operating offices, equipment and machinery. Workers directly contracted by agencies to provide support and service functions would also be eligible.

The draft sets two maximum payment levels. Some groups could receive additional income equal to as much as 1.8 times their salary based on rank, grade or position. Other eligible groups could receive up to VND3 million per person per month. The proposal would not apply to people working at agencies under the International Financial Center in Ho Chi Minh City.

Separately, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment is drafting rules covering 18 sectors in which officials and senior personnel would be barred from establishing, managing or operating private businesses, companies or cooperatives after leaving office. The listed areas include crops and plant protection, livestock and veterinary services, irrigation, disaster prevention, forestry, fisheries, climate change, environment, land, mapping, water resources and rural development, as well as other agriculture and environmental fields.