Members of the National Assembly Standing Committee debated the draft Law on Militia and Self-Defense Forces last month, focusing on such issues as target members and functions and tasks of these forces in peacetime.
The draft law, which, according to Minister of Defense Phung Quang Thanh, aims to build strong militia and self-defense forces, would target also foreign organizations and individuals who reside and operate lawfully in Vietnam.
Most of the participants agreed with the draft law on the age of the forces’ members. To join militia, men should be between 18 and 45 years old and women between 18 and 40. As for the self defense force, men aged up to 50 years and women up to 45 years would be fit to become members.
The draft law also provides for the building of militia and self-defense forces in enterprises, requiring those with political organizations, such as a Party cell, to set up their own militia and self-defense forces.
Specifically, enterprises that employ at least 50 workers of suitable age must establish their own militia and self defense forces while those operating at sea should establish self-defense forces if they employ 25 workers or more who are of eligible age.
The draft Law will be presented to the National Assembly for discussion at its May session.-