Increasing workloads coupled with modest allowances for qualified non-specialized employees in the public sector make it difficult for many localities across Da Nang to retain these people. Despite its attempts to increase their income for these employees, the public sector could only grant monthly allowance of between VND 4 million and VND 5 million, and even lower for them.

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Tri, a culture and information officer of Nai Hien Dong Ward (middle) received the First Prize in the sports event at the 2023 “Cau Ngu” Festival in Son Tra District. Photo: T.Y

The more work, the more pressure

Despite showing excellent work behaviors in his job, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Tri, a culture and information officer in Nai Hien Dong Ward, Son Tra District, works as an non-specialist and only earns a monthly salary of VND 4.3 million.

Mr. Tri is dynamic and always on the move, tirelessly dedicated to his work. His commitment is truly highlighted during local sports tournaments when he often assumes the role of a mentor, providing advice regarding organization and training, whilst ensuring athletes are well-equipped with water bottles and medical supplies.

He claimed that practice sessions are the most difficult for him on most days as he jumps in the car and heads to the practice field with his colleagues as soon as he finishes his work at the Ward People's Committee Office. Regardless of whether training sessions begin as early as 5:00 am or extend into weekends, Mr. Tri is willing to take on the duties.

Thanks to his unwavering dedication, the culture and sports movements in Nai Hien Dong Ward produced positive results in 2023, boasting remarkable achievements such as the first-place victory at the sports event of the Cau Ngu' (Fish Worshipping) Festival in Son Tra District, along with championship titles in the Da Nang Youth Athletics Tournament, the Men's Soccer and Women’s Volleyball Tournaments of Da Nang.

Mr. Tri recalled a story of working as a non-specialized employee in the public sector at the ward-level. In 2003, he was recruited as as a permanent militiaman and inter-ward communication officer by the ward authorities, and he received a monthly allowance of over VND 200,000.

Despite the long and late shifts that often extended into the daybreak, Mr. Tri's enthusiasm remained untamed and his smile undiminished. When asked how he managed to sustain his lifestyle on such a meager income, he simply replied, "Initially, I joined the local movements out of curiosity and over the past years, grew attached to it and didn't deny undertaking any tasks."

Due to his dedication to local community activities, the Nai Hien Dong Ward People's Committee assigned him to serve as a non-specialized employee working in different job positions, including an archivist, an inspector and a driver. Two years ago, Mr. Tri was assigned to take the responsibility of local culture and sports activities.

The challenges of a low salary and high work stress have led Mr. Tri to contemplate his decision to continue in his current job. Specifically, in 2019, obtaining his law degree from the Ha Noi Law University opened up a lot of career opportunities for him. However, Mr. Tri chose to remain committed to his existing job.

"What matters is that I want to stay here. Despite the limitations of my current job in terms of income and opportunities for growth, they pale in comparison to the joy I derive from my work," stated Mr. Tri.

Mr. Cao Dinh Hai, the Chairman of the Nai Hien Dong Ward People's Committee, stated that in order to retain qualified non-specialized employees like Mr. Tri, he and other leaders of the ward are continually seeking ways to increase income for these employees, aiming to ensure that each of them can earn an average monthly salary of about VND 4.5 million.

He revealed that Nai Hien Dong Ward, covering a broad expanse with 100 streets and housing 35,000 residents, leading to a substantial workload for non-specialized employees in the public sector at ward level. For instance, an archive clerk produces around 2,000 administrative documents every year, excluding their responsibility of receiving and managing administrative procedures through the ward’s online public service portal.

“We try to use many resources to grant allowances for these employees in order to ensure material and spiritual stability in their lives as they play a critical role in handling 30-40% of the ward’s workload. What will we do without them?" Mr. Hai remarked.

More than just income

Many non- specialized employees expressed that, given their compensation comes solely from allowances, they do not share the joy of scheduled salary increments, despite their daily workload being on par with salaried public employees under the Viet Nam Labour Law. These employees often dedicate long hours, including weekends, to their work involved in local movements related to women, youth union organization, mass mobilization, public awareness raising, cultural and sports events.

Holding the position of the Deputy Commander of the Military Command of Thanh Khe Tay Ward, Thanh Khe District for 12 years, Mr. Truong Van Minh expressed his satisfaction derived from his current job. Reflecting back on his career, he recalled volunteering for the army in 2007 and serving his military duty at the 1^st Infantry Battalion under the Da Nang Military Command. After fulfilling his obligations for military service, he returned to his residential area to join the militia, and was entrusted with the role as the Deputy Commander of the ward-level Military Command.

Making a significant contribution in the military service has always been Mr. Minh's dream since he was a little boy. In order to enhance the knowledge and abilities for his career, he pursued this desire and graduated with a bachelor's degree in law from the Nguyen Hue University under the management of the Ministry of National Defense.

Mr. Minh stated that although he does not disregard money, it has never interfered with his commitment to his work. During every stage of military recruiting, he notably dedicated his time to ground operations, planning training sessions, and encouraging local young people to enlist in the military.

At the same time, he works with relevant agencies to help juvenile offenders ‘turn over a new leaf’ by making a positive change to their characters, and encouraging them to confidently reintegrate into the community.

Mrs Le Thi Nhat Dieu, the Chairwoman of the Thanh Khe Tay Ward People's Committee, stated that focus has been paid to creating the most favourable conditions for non-specialized employees to dedicate to their work. The emphasis has shifted to managing the work rather than the people in order to get the best results from their work. Heed has been paid to creating extra income, even in a modest manner, for these employees, especially for those who perform outside of their working hours.

Mrs. Dieu highlighted the importance of creating a solidarity-driven culture in the workplace to retain non-specialized employees. She pointed out that, in organisations where its employees' income is low, finding love at work and genuine connections with coworkers and leaders of their organization play vital role in ensuring emotional stability in employees, as well as employee retention.

In its efforts to address the lack of non-specialized employees in the public sector at ward and communal levels, Da Nang has recently passed a resolution to grant additional monthly allowances for over 700 non-specialized employees across the city, with the maximum amount being 1.17 times higher than the minimum wage of pubic employees.

Furthermore, financial support which is equal to eight month's basic salary will be provided for non-specialized female employees during maternity leave. This is an attempt to gradually narrow income gap between salaried employees and non-specialized ones in the public sector at the grassroots level.

Reporting by TIEU YEN - Translating by HOAI TRANG