Viet Nam Social Security receives ASSA award for its administrative reforms

Since 2015, Viet Nam Social Security has pooled resources to review and simplify its administrative reforms in tandem with pushing for higher adoption of information technology, all for the purposes of: minimising data inputting from individuals or organisations; promoting coordination and information exchange between offices and branches within the Viet Nam Social Secrity and between Viet Nam Social Security and other relevant State agencies; boosting information dissemination and awareness campaigns on legal regulations, policies and the reforms; strengthening inspections, the capacity of workers during their discharge of duties and changing up working attitude towards bringing better services to the public and businesses.

Thanks to robust leadership in the implementation of the process, currently, the number of administrative procedures related to social insurance and health insurance has reduced significantly.

With regards to quantity, 115 administrative procedures in 2014 have come down to 28 in 2017, and 27 in May, 2019, translating to a cutback of more than 70 per cent.

Regarding the types of documents, criteria, and the process for carrying out administrative procedures: in the 2014-15 period, 56 per cent of the number of dossiers have been reduced; 82 per cent of criteria has been streamlined from the filling forms and 78 per cent of the steps involved in the process of carrying out administrative procedures has been cut back.

In the 2016-17 period, 38 per cent of the dossiers’ components, 42 criteria on the filling forms and 54 per cent of the steps were eliminated.

From 2018, Viet Nam Social Security has managed to make further cuts: 24 per cent of the forms, 29 per cent of the criteria and 12 per cent of the steps and 49 per cent of dossiers’ components.

An overview of the opening ceremony of ASSA 36

Regarding time spent on completing administrative procedures: According to World Bank’s report, Viet Nam Social Security’s reforms has resulted in a drastic reduction from 335 hours in 2015 down to 147 hours in 2018.

Concerning information technology application, Viet Nam Social Security has jumped 18 places compared to 2016 and currently stands second in the ranking of 25 ministries, ministry-level agencies and other Government agencies which deal with public administrative services.

From reception and return of administrative documents: Viet Nam Social Security has made changes to its modes of receiving and returning administrative documents in line with social demands: the transaction could be conducted online, at the local social security branch offices or via public post (businesses won’t have to pay fees for the delivery service).

Awards being handed to ASSA member organisations

Viet Nam Social Security is currently making 19 out of its 27 administrative procedures available at level 3 and 4 (where filling documents could be made and sent online, and the payment could either be made electronically or at the local social security branch offices); implementing data sharing with the General Department of Taxation to keep updated information on businesses; with the Ministry of Health and medical establishments to use common-use code sets of classification schemes in the management of medical examination and treatment and health insurance payouts; with the Ministry of Justice in providing information on the registration and issuing cards for children six years old; or inputting death certificate information when the person enrolled in survivors’ benefits scheme.

During ASSA 36 meeting, ASSA Executive Committee has presented ASSA 2019 awards, with 18 awards in six categories having been conferred to 18 member organisations of ASSA./.