NA calls for faster army promotions

National Assembly deputies have called for a faster promotion process and greater clarity on policies regarding titles and salaries for army officers.

These opinions were expressed in comments made by the National Assembly Standing Committee on amendments proposed to the current Law on Officers of the Viet Nam People's Army.


Addressing a working session held yesterday, General Phung Quang Thanh, Defence Minister, said that after five years of implementing the current law, it can be said that the proposed amendments are suitable for and create a legal foundation for improving the quality of the army officers. They also meet the requirements of national construction and protection "in the new context," he said.

However, the committee has seen some limitations and obstacles to enforcement, he added.

One of these had to do with unclear regulations on titles conferred on army officers in different positions and with different agencies.

The proposed amendment states that the chief army officer in the capital city, HCM City and other provinces and cities will be a Lieutenant General, Major General and Senior Lieutenant Colonel respectively.

An exception to this rule would cover six provinces and cities–Hai Phong City, Da Nang City, Can Tho City, Thanh Hoa Province, Nghe An Province and Dong Nai Province, where the highest leader of the army will be a Colonel.

Some members of the NA Standing Committee felt that the draft law needs to clarify which positions require officers with rank of General. They suggested that certain agencies and institutions including enterprises and public administrative bodies should not have a general heading the army officers' section.

Deputies at the meeting also agreed that the policy on salaries for army officers should be separate from that related to the titles.

Remuneration for army officers should be based on their working positions and titles, the deputies said.

NA Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung said that the draft law should take into consideration the principle that seniors have higher-ranking titles, and that each position has a matching title.

Hung suggested that the draft law shortens the time taken for army officers to be considered for promotion.

He also said provisions on officers' salary should be stipulated in a separate document, not in the draft law.