A recent audit conducted by the State Audit Office of Vietnam has revealed numerous discrepancies in the implementation of policy 178, which pertains to the retirement and benefits of civil servants and employees. The audit identified errors in ten localities and four central agencies, prompting the Ministry of Home Affairs to require a thorough review of all retirement cases approved under this policy.

The findings were based on a sample audit rather than a comprehensive review of all records across various ministries and localities. The ten localities involved include major cities such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, as well as provinces like Dong Nai, Lam Dong, Dak Lak, Gia Lai, Tay Ninh, Can Tho, Ca Mau, and Son La. The central agencies mentioned in the report include the Office of the Government and the Ministries of Education and Training, Culture, Sports and Tourism, and Construction.

The audit highlighted that many approved retirement cases lacked proper justification or were incorrectly categorized. For instance, 98 individuals from Dong Nai, Lam Dong, Dak Lak, and Gia Lai were approved for retirement despite having consistently performed well for three consecutive years. Additionally, several localities failed to establish clear criteria for selecting individuals for retirement, leading to inconsistencies in decision-making.

The report also pointed out that some leaders and managers were allowed to retire even when their positions did not exceed the allowable limits post-restructuring. This included 24 individuals in Tay Ninh and several others in Dong Nai and Gia Lai, raising concerns about the appropriateness of these decisions.

Moreover, the audit revealed that certain agencies only evaluated employees who submitted retirement requests, neglecting to assess the performance of all civil servants. This practice was noted in specific departments in Can Tho and Ca Mau.

In response to these findings, the Ministry of Home Affairs has instructed all relevant agencies to conduct a complete review of retirement cases and rectify any errors before submitting their reports by September 15. The State Audit Office has urged the Prime Minister to ensure that all discrepancies are addressed to prevent budgetary losses and clarify the responsibilities of those involved.