When the Ministry of Interior put out statistics estimating that 16,000 officers had departed the public sector during the past five years, people realized there was something seriously afoot.
Now the media has started clamoring about the “brain drain” problem, saying the government has wasted a significant amount of money providing these officials with professional training.
Then there are those who argue that the departure of these 16,000 officers would not have any effect whatsoever considering the size of the country’s administration.
They add further that these people could still devote their talents for the country’s benefit, be it in other positions and from outside the public sector.
Tran Anh Tuan, a department head at the Ministry of Interior, even announced that 16,000 officers quitting their public sector jobs was normal and even a “good” sign, as the labor market was able to provide them with more options.
No matter what the merits or demerits of different arguments, it is worth asking why these people have decided to quit.
“Low salaries” is a prime suspect, as is the oft-quoted unsuitable working environment, and while there are some who will confirm these reasons, we need to delve further.
Most put “personal reasons” in their resignation letters.
Surprisingly, salary does not seem to have been a decisive factor for many.
They say they had to leave their posts because they were subjected to unfair treatment.
They say no matter how much effort they put in, some were simply outsiders in the race for higher positions.
Though some provinces have started offering higher benefits to recruit fresh talent, the policy doesn’t seem to be working very well.
Professionals want a working environment where they can learn and advance.
For many, material benefits come later on the priority list.
Thanh Nien recently published an excerpt from an article by the former Prime Minister of Singapore, Lee Kuan Yew, in which he criticized some Asian countries for allowing leaders to “buy” their votes, instead of “earning” them.
Despite the explanation proffered by the Interior Ministry official, it is not simply an unusual incident that 16,000 people had to quit their posts.
It’s something we should all be really worried about, really.
By Hieu Le |
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