A series of "beyond the framework" policies attract experts

The draft Decree on policies to attract experts in the fields of science, technology, innovation and digital transformation has just been sent by the Ministry of Home Affairs to the Ministry of Justice for appraisal.

The draft not only creates a separate legal framework but also provides "breakthrough" and "beyond-the-framework" mechanisms and policies to attract, employ and retain leading experts, creating a strong driving force for the development of science, technology, innovation and digital transformation in Vietnam.

Stating a specific and ambitious goal of attracting and employing at least 100 leading experts in cutting-edge technology industries (artificial intelligence, semiconductors, new materials) to work in Vietnam by 2030, and developing an unlimited number of experts thereafter, the draft designs a series of special preferential policies (exceeding the salary, housing, working environment framework), with long-term strategic nature, breakthrough, flexible, and practical.

Specifically, the draft stipulates that salaries are negotiated based on the salary that experts have received and the average salary in the domestic and international labor market, ensuring that they are commensurate with the assigned tasks. Experts are awarded an annual bonus of up to 4 months of contract salary based on the results of performing the tasks.

In particular, they enjoy at least 30% of the profits from exploiting, transferring, and commercializing the results of scientific, technological, and innovative tasks. This is a strong incentive mechanism, directly linking research results with the financial interests of experts.

They are also exempted from personal income tax on salaries, bonuses, income under labor contracts and are initially supported with 1 month's salary to stabilize their accommodation, move and receive support for rent, transportation or provision of standard apartments.

In addition, experts also have the right to proactively select and propose human resources, scientific and technological organizations to participate in the task and especially proactively decide to use the allocated funds and resources, including the direct purchase of necessary foreign technology, products and equipment at agreed prices. This creates a flexible working environment, minimizes administrative barriers and enhances creativity.

Family members (father, mother, spouse, children under 18 years old) of experts are supported in finding schools and tuition fees for their children, voluntary health care packages, support in finding job opportunities, and issuance of multiple visas. Foreign experts who wish to be given priority in obtaining Vietnamese nationality; experts who are Vietnamese people living abroad can be considered for admission as civil servants and public employees without having to go through an exam and be appointed to leadership and management positions without having to meet the usual conditions on working time and planning.

If the expert is subject to other documents with lower policies and regimes, the policies and regimes of this Decree will be applied to negotiate. If the expert is eligible for many different policies, the expert will enjoy the highest policy and regime.

However, the criteria for selecting experts under this draft are also strict and specialized. The draft classifies experts into "academic research experts" and "applied experts", with specific, very high criteria and a focus on quality.

These criteria require qualifications from universities in the world's top 200, many years of work experience, along with outstanding achievements such as owning inventions, patents, prestigious international publications, or products and projects that have been successfully commercialized.

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/hang-loat-chinh-sach-vuot-khung-thu-hut-chuyen-gia-post808373.html