Fundamentally solve the problem of public sector income
Information related to salary policy reform is receiving much attention from voters nationwide. The adjustment of the base salary, pension and allowance regimes in 2026 is currently being built under the direction of the Government.
Talking to Lao Dong Newspaper, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi Lan Huong, former Director of the Institute of Labor Science and Social Affairs (Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, now the Ministry of Home Affairs), said that the adjustment of the base salary needs to be considered in close relationship with the salary reform roadmap (CCTL) and must be based on economic bases and clear calculation methods.
According to her, in the past, the adjustment of the base salary often only stopped at increasing a part to solve the immediate problem, not based on a system of theory and full calculation methods. If only adjusting in the style of "where there is a shortage, there is compensation" then salary increases are difficult to fundamentally solve the income problem of the public sector.
She emphasized that the determination of the base salary level should be based on important economic factors such as economic growth rate and consumer price index (CPI). These two factors reflect the ability to generate wealth for the economy and price fluctuations. If wages are not adjusted accordingly, the real value of wages will be reduced.
According to experts, CCTL needs to be linked to the process of streamlining staff and improving the quality of public sector human resources. When the apparatus is streamlined, it will create resources to improve salaries for the remaining team. At the same time, in the context of increased labor productivity and economic growth, it is necessary to transfer part of that achievement into salaries, especially for the public sector.
Ms. Huong also emphasized: "Salary is not only a source of income but also performs the functions of compensation, stimulus and distribution. Therefore, CCTL needs to be implemented synchronously with organizational reform and improve the operational efficiency of the public sector".
According to the Government Portal, at the voter contact conference with candidates for the 16th National Assembly held on March 9, Party Central Secretary, Deputy Prime Minister Pham Thi Thanh Tra said that CCTL is a common desire of voters nationwide. However, salary adjustments must be implemented according to a roadmap suitable to economic conditions, budget capacity and financial resources.
In the immediate future, it is expected that from July 1, 2026, the base salary will be temporarily adjusted to increase by about 8%, and at the same time continue to summarize the implementation of Resolution 27-NQ/TW to build a roadmap for CCTL in the next phase.
Identifying job positions associated with KPI
Mr. Le Quang Trung - former Deputy Director in charge of the Department of Employment (Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, now the Ministry of Home Affairs) said that CCTL needs to be linked to building a synchronous work performance evaluation (KPI) system. The evaluation must be based on the specific functions, tasks and job positions of each cadre and civil servant.
According to Mr. Trung, when clearly defining the job position, tasks of each position and having a set of KPI tools to assess work capacity, level of dedication as well as the results of task performance of each person, paying salaries according to results and according to the job position can be effective.
He also said that agencies and units need to continue to review and rearrange job positions to clearly identify needs and personnel structures. On that basis, it is possible to move towards direct salary payment according to job positions, thereby creating motivation to improve work efficiency and contributions of employees.
In addition, CCTL also needs to aim to attract human resources with high professional and technical qualifications and capable people to participate in the public sector.
