INTRODUCTION TO THE LABOR - VETERANS AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS SECTOR

I. HISTORY OF FORMATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE LABOR - VETERANS AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS SECTOR

1. Introduction to the Sector

76 years ago, after the success of the August Revolution, on August 28, 1945, President Ho Chi Minh signed the Declaration “on the establishment of the Provisional Government of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam” among the 13 ministries established including the Ministry of Labor and the Ministry of Social Relief. marking the birth of the Labor - Veterans and Social Affairs Sector to implement the Party’s and State’s policies and directions in the field of Labor - Veterans and Social Affairs. This affirmed that from the early days of the establishment of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, the Government has paid special attention to the field of Labor - Veterans and Social Affairs.

2. Process  of  Building and Developing the Organizational

- Period 1945 - 1954:

At the central level, activities related to Labor - Veterans and Social Affairs were carried out by four ministries: the Ministry of Labor, the Ministry of Relief, the Ministry of Social Affairs, and the Ministry of Veterans and Invalids. Among them, the Ministry of Labor and the Ministry of Relief were established on August 28, 1945; the Ministry of Social Affairs was established on March 2, 1946; and the Ministry of Veterans and Invalids was established on July 19, 1947.

In Sơn La province, after gaining authority, the provincial administrative resistance committee was established, and the work of Labor - Veterans and Social Affairs was run by the administrative resistance committee. Subsequently, at all levels of government, agencies responsible for Labor - Veterans and Social Affairs were established based on President Ho Chi Minh’s Order No. 64/SL-CT dated May 8, 1946.

- Period 1955 - 1964:

At the central level, the task of Labor - Veterans and Social Affairs was carried out by four ministries: the Ministry of Labor, the Ministry of Veterans and Invalids, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and the Ministry of Relief.

At the local level, in 1955, the autonomous region of Thái Mèo (later known as the Northwest region) was established, and the Labor Department of the region was established under the Northwest Administrative Committee. The work of Veterans and Social Affairs was carried out by the organizing committee of the regional government. In 1963, Sơn La province was reestablished, and the Labor Department was placed under the provincial administrative committee, responsible for Veterans and Social Affairs.

- Period 1965 - 1975:

At the central level, the work  of Labor - Veterans and  Social Affairs was carried out by two ministries and one agency: the Ministry of Labor, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and the Committee for Investigating War Crimes by the U.S. imperialists in Vietnam.

In Sơn La province, in 1965, the Department of Labor  ) was established based on the upgrade of the Labor Department in the province. In 1972, the Department of  Veterans and Social Affairs was established.

- Period from 1976 to 1986:

At the central level, the task implementation of Labor - Veterans and Social Affairs was carried out by two ministries and one agency: the Ministry of Labor, the Ministry of Veterans and Social Affairs, and the Committee for Investigating War Crimes of Aggression.

At the local level, the work of Labor - Veterans and Social Affairs was carried out by the Department of Labor, Veterans, and Social Affairs.

- Period from 1987 to the present:

At the central level, following  Decision No. 782/HĐND dated February 16, 1987, of the State Council, the Ministry of Labor - Veterans and Social Affairs was established through the merger and consolidation of two ministries: the Ministry of Labor and the Ministry of Veterans and Social Affairs.

In Sơn La province, since 1987, the Department of Labor - Veterans and Social Affairs was established, based on the merger of the two departments: the Labor Department and the Department of  Veterans and Social Affairs.

II. INTRODUCTION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR - VETERANS AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS OF SƠN LA PROVINCE

August 28th marks a historic milestone for our nation. On that day, the Provisional Government of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, led by President Ho Chi Minh, issued a declaration to the people and the world, announcing the establishment of the new Vietnamese government and releasing a list of ten ministries and sectors, including the Department of Labor - Veterans and Social Affairs.

After its establishment, under the leadership of the Party, the Department of Labor - Veterans and Social Affairs has provided counsel to the Party and the State, contributing to the implementation of various policies to  solve the most urgent issues facing the country. During the two resistance wars against France and the United States, the Department continued to play a crucial role in advising the Party and the State on economic development policies in liberated areas, resistance zones, and the construction of socialism in the North after 1954. Simultaneously, it mobilized resources from the rear to support the national reunification effort in the South.

After 1975, the Department of Labor - Veterans and Social Affairs advised the Party and the State on overcoming the war’s aftermath, building a system of preferential policies for veterans, disabled soldiers, and martyrs' families . During the renovation period, a comprehensive legal framework and policy mechanisms related to Labor - Veterans and Social Affairs were developed, elevating existing decrees and regulations to laws and ordinances. Notably, achievements in poverty reduction and hunger eradication were recognized by both the people and the international community.

Based on the country’s socioeconomic development and the practical situation in the province, the Department of Labor - Veterans and Social Affairs timely advised the Provincial Party Committee and the Provincial People’s Committee on strengthening state management in various areas: labor, employment, vocational training, recognition of contributions, and social welfare. It proposed new, adjusted, and supplementary social policies, ensuring effective legal frameworks for implementation. Additionally, it issued policies that exceeded central regulations, meeting the needs and aspirations of the people and relevant stakeholders.

Regarding recognition of contributions, besides fully implementing state-prescribed regimes, the Department advised the provincial authorities to issue regulations on regular and irregular  allowances for revolutionary contributors, especially heroic Vietnamese mothers. Notably, housing improvement policies were implemented cohesively, covering land use fee exemptions, compassionate housing gifts, and financial support for home repairs. These efforts provided stable and resilient housing for policyholder families, capable of withstanding natural disasters and storms. The work of honoring and repaying contributions was widely disseminated through various movements and models, mobilizing additional resources to improve the living standards of contributor families beyond or equal to the average living standards of local residents. Many martyrs’ cemeteries were upgraded to be dignified, green, clean, and beautiful.

In the field of social welfare, the Department proposed raising allowances and expanding the beneficiary base beyond central regulations for social protection recipients. Efforts in poverty reduction and hunger eradication achieved significant results, and several times, the Department advised the province to adjust the poverty criteria and prioritize resource allocation to support extremely poor households. These coordinated measures contributed to shortening the poverty reduction program from five years to three years per phase.

In the area of drug prevention and control, the Department provided recommendations to the province on management, rehabilitation, vocational training, and other related policies. These efforts contributed to reducing drug addiction within the province, actively supporting the “Five No’s, Three Yes’s” program.

Coming  with effectively advising and implementing the Labor - Veterans and Social Affairs work, the development of the sector is consistently prioritized in terms of both infrastructure and professional expertise. Robustly deploying information technology in professional activities, gradually expanding online public services, and meeting the increasingly diverse communication and transparency requirements for both organizations and citizens.

1. Regarding functions:

- The Department of Labor - Veterans and Social Affairs is a specialized agency under the Provincial People’s Committee, with the function of advising and assisting the Provincial People’s Committee in managing state functions related to the following areas: employment; vocational training; labor; wages; remuneration; social insurance (mandatory social insurance, voluntary social insurance, unemployment insurance); occupational safety; veterans; social welfare; child protection and care; gender equality; prevention and control of social evils (collectively referred to as the labor, veterans, and social sector); and public services within the scope of the Department’s management and other tasks and powers according to decentralization and delegation by the Provincial People’s Committee and legal regulations.

- The Department of Labor - Veterans and Social Affairs has legal  status , its own seal, and separate accounts. It is subject to the direction and management of the organization, staffing, and activities by the Provincial People’s Committee. Simultaneously, it is subject to guidance, supervision, inspection, and examination of professional expertise by the Ministry of Labor - Veterans and Social Affairs.

2. Regarding tasks:

- Developing directions, objectives, and major solutions in the long-term and annual plans of the province in the field of Labor - Veterans and Social Affairs, advising the Provincial People’s Committee on directing relevant sectors and levels to implement those directions and missions .

- Taking the lead in coordinating with relevant management agencies and sectors to implement legal regulations related to Labor - Veterans and Social Affairs, conducting specific research on the implementation of state policies, and drafting provincial documents proposing amendments and supplements to policies for workers and social policy beneficiaries that are suitable for the province’s actual situation and state laws.

- Guiding various sectors, levels, and grassroots units in all economic components to participate in the effective management and utilization of labor resources. Constructing policies to encourage production and business establishments to create employment opportunities for social labor. Inspecting the implementation of wage, remuneration, allowances, and benefits for female workers, as well as labor safety policies for workers. Also, overseeing policies related to revolutionary contributors, retirees, disabled individuals, and those who have left employment, as well as social policy regimes.

- Coordinating with relevant agencies to manage state centers for employment services, vocational training institutions within the province. Establishing and monitoring examination boards for vocational training, reviewing the issuance of vocational certificates, and guiding the introduction of job-seeking labor.

- Conducting state inspections and audits of units’ compliance with legal regulations and policies in the field of Labor - Veterans and Social Affairs. Addressing complaints and denunciations within the Department’s authority and overseeing matters related to the sector.

- Developing and implementing financial targets and plans for the sector. Unifying the management of budgetary resources and expenditures related to Labor - Veterans and Social Affairs within the province.

- Collaborating with sectors, levels, and organizations to build and develop various forms of social protection. Organizing regular and emergency relief for disadvantaged groups. Managing certain associations and charitable organizations.

- Coordinating the implementation of the annual compulsory labor service law.

- Organize and direct the implementation of various tasks related to revolutionary contributors and social welfare beneficiaries. Under the authority delegated by the Provincial People’s Committee, determine the eligible individuals for policies, subsidy levels, and issue certificates for those who have made contributions to the revolution and beneficiaries of social assistance. Implement subsidy regimes; participate in disability assessment boards for veterans and propose the awarding of the “Fatherland” certificate to martyrs. Collaborate with relevant sectors and levels to implement policies for nurturing heroic Vietnamese mothers, caring for veterans, disabled soldiers, martyr families, and veteran revolutionaries. Manage cemeteries and memorial sites for martyrs in the province. Provide care for lonely elderly, disabled individuals, and children with special difficult circumstances. Organize labor guidance, vocational training, and provide prosthetic devices for veterans and disabled individuals. Coordinate and implement poverty reduction programs, social evils prevention, and crime prevention.

- Strengthen the organization, build and train the workforce of officials engaged in Labor - Veterans and Social Affairs work in the province.

- Summarize and consolidate the sector’s work within the province, implement information reporting mechanisms to the Provincial People’s Committee and the Ministry of Labor - Veterans and Social Affairs. Recommend commendations for units and individuals with achievements in Labor - Veterans and Social Affairs work. Manage the storage of all relevant records.

- Additionally, the Department also assumes other obligations  as stipulated by the Provincial People’s Committee of Sơn La and the Ministry of Labor - Veterans and Social Affairs.