DTiNews lists down ten most significant changes as of January 1, 2010.
1. Minimum salary increase in enterprises
As of January 1, 2010 the minimum salary of employees will be increased.
Those working for domestic companies, organisations in Hanoi and HCMC, will have a minimal salary of VND980,000 per month ($52.4) instead of VND800,000 ($42.8). The salaries in remaining areas will range from VND730,000 ($39) to VND880,000 ($47.1) per month.
Minimal salary is to increase
Those working for foreign companies, organisations in Hanoi and HCMC, will have a minimal monthly salary of VND1,340,000 ($71.7) and the salaries in remaining areas will range from VND1 million ($53.5) to VND1,190,000 ($63.7).
2. Civil servants must be fired if they cannot accomplish their duties for 2 consecutive years
Under a new law, civil servants who complete their duties for 2 consecutive years but their skills still are not perfect, or they accomplish their duties for one year and their skills remain incomplete in another year, can no longer hold their position. If they cannot accomplish their duties for 2 consecutive years, they must be fired.
3. If civil servants perform misdeeds, state must take responsibility
Under new laws, the state will have to take responsibilities for compensating individuals or organisations who suffer from damages caused by civil servants.
Actions by state executors that are considered to be vulnerable to abuse or corruption from civil servants include administrative punishment decision issuance, business certificate issuance or withdrawal, investment certificate issuance, fees, taxes, land lease, allowance, site clearance compensation etc.
4. Health insurance fees to account for 4.5 per cent of monthly salary
Health insurance fees will account for 4.5 per cent of monthly salary, pension, and employment allowances of the insurance holders.
Health insurance holders who are working in the People’s police force and children under 6 years of age will not have to pay any treatment fees.
5. Individual income taxes to be imposed on stock market transactions
Those who earn money from stock trading activities will have to pay individual income tax. They can pay 20 per cent of actual interests or 0.1 per cent of transaction value.
Individual income taxes will be imposed on stock market transactions
6. 8 offenses removed from list of executable crimes
Eight kinds of crimes namely rape, robbery, smuggling, counterfeiting, drug smuggling and transporting, hijacking, pirating, bribery, and military weapon destruction are no longer punishable by death.
7. Land usage delays
Land usage delays will be fined. The new regulations state that farming lands that go unused for 12-18 consecutive months and forest lands not used for over 24 months are fineable. Construction projects cannot sit idle for more than 12 months.
8. No more public smoking
Smoking in public areas will now be prohibited. The fine is around VND50,000-100,000 ($2.6-5) each time one is caught.
Enforcing the public smoking ban will be difficult
9. No lip singing
Lip singing during musical performances is prohibited, performers should not use recorded audio. The fine is around VND3-5 million ($160-267).
10. Karaoke and discotheque certificate issuance to resume
Karaoke and discotheques are now allowed to be issued business certificates again after a 4 year break. This will allow new businesses to apply for the certificates and possible shakeup the nightlife.
