Voters send 3,794 ideas to National Assembly

Hanoi (VNA) – Voters sent in 3,794 ideas on various issues to the National Assembly (NA), according to a report delivered by Nguyen Thien Nhan, President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee at the 13 th legislature’s last meeting on March 21.

Those who wrote in said they appreciated the outcomes of the legislative body’s operations during its 13th tenure, especially its decisions on important issues and lawmaking through the enforcement of the 2013 Constitution and related regulations.

They asked the NA to review the operation of the State apparatus comprehensively in order to better the organisation, personnel and operations of State agencies in the next tenure.

They showed their hope that the elections of deputies to the 14 th National Assembly and all levels of People’s Councils will help choose competent deputies and members who can represent the people’s will and aspirations.

Many voters expressed their concerns over China ’s increasing land reclamation, construction, deployment of weapons and militants to islands and reefs of Vietnam ’s Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagoes, as well as its attacks on Vietnamese fishermen.

These actions have sparked instability in the region, threatened the freedom of navigation, and violated the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea signed between ASEAN and China .

They urged the Party and State to carry out more drastic and synchronous measures to safeguard national sovereignty, protect fishermen, and update the public on the East Sea situation.

Smuggling, counterfeit goods and food safety also worry voters. They stressed the importance of intensifying inspections, strictly punishing violators, reorganising the market, closely controling the quality of fertilisers and pesticide, and ensuring food safety.

Delighted at the Government’s increase of regional minimum wages, they asked the Government, enterprises and investors to have a long-term strategy on raising minimum wages and at the same time improve the quality and efficiency of production to ensure competitiveness during the economic development and integration process and increase real incomes of labourers.

Many acknowledged the efforts of the health sector to reduce hospital overloads, and put modern medical facilities and equipment into operation. However, in the face of the adjustment of health service prices since March 1, voters proposed the Ministry of Health continue implementing measures to raise the quality of health check-ups and treatment in order to ensure the legitimate interests of patients and health insurance participants are taken into account.

The Government should instruct the ministries of Transport and Public Security, and local authorities to strengthen management over vehicles and drivers, and Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City should carry out urban planning measures to reduce traffic congestion.

Climate change is an issue concerning most of voters. They asked the Government to steer ministries, sectors and localities toward urgent measures to address consequences of current long-lasting drought and saltwater intrusion, help farmers stabilise their lives and production, and carry out a long-term plan to upgrade the transportation and irrigation systems.

Acknowledging voters’ opinions, the Presidium of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee suggested the Government, NA, ministries, sectors and localities prioritise measures to deal with climate change, especially severe drought and saline intrusion in the Mekong Delta, southern central and Central Highlands regions, Nhan said.

This year, the VFF will coordinate with the Government to build a programme on food safety for 2016-2021.

Nhan emphasised the need for measures to take full advantage of opportunities and minimise difficulties brought by newly signed free trade agreements.

Regarding the upcoming elections to the 14 th National Assembly and all-level People’s Councils, he asked for coordination between the NA Standing Committee, Government, local authorities and the National Election Council to make the polls in accordance with law regulations.-VNA