The wages used to calculate social insurance (SI) contributions that employees and employers have to pay are quite low compared to their actual income.

As living costs rise, more Vietnamese workers are leaving major cities to find financial stability elsewhere. The push for a living wage is stronger than ever.

The regional minimum wage increase for 2025 aims to improve workers’ living standards and align wage policies with economic growth and evolving administrative boundaries.

The Vietnam General Confederation of Labor (VGCL) says the unemployment benefit needs to increase to 75 percent of the monthly wage instead of 60 percent as currently applied to better protect workers.

The regional minimum wages are expected to increase by 6 percent from July 1, or 2 percent higher than workers’ minimum living standards in 2024, and ensure minimum living standards in 2025.

The National Wage Council on Wednesday gave the green light to lifting the regional minimum wage by 6 per cent next year.

The HCM City People’s Council at a recent meeting discussed additional income for state officers so they feel more secure at work.

National Assembly deputies, noting that low monthly salaries are eroding the integrity and dignity of some civil servants, have urged an increase in the minimum wage.

The new regional minimum wages, which have been agreed by members of the National Wage Council, will be effective on July 1, 2022.

The Vietnam Labor Federation has asked to increase the minimum wage from July 1, 2022, earlier than scheduled.

In addition to recommending against an increase in wages this year, many experts and businesses have also opposed proposals to change the timing of regional minimum wage changes from January 1 to July 

The highest Tet bonus workers this year is VND1.07 billion, or over $41,000. The highest pay in 2020 was VND516 million a month.

Vietnamese authorities have improved the legal framework, stepped up communication measures and promoted international co-operation to ensure labourers enjoy better rights when working abroad under contracts, a conference has heard.

The body that represents workers' rights in Vietnam is calling on the Government to increase minimum wage as the country's economy begins to show positive signs of recovery.

The highest bonus for the lunar New Year in HCM City or Tet holiday is expected to be more than VND1 billion (USD43,478), meanwhile the figure for the New Year is VND990 million (USD42,251).

The International Labour Organization (ILO) has welcomed the new rights of workers and employers in Vietnam from January 1 as the revised Labour Code adopted in 2019 takes effect.

The labour ministry has proposed the Government delay increasing minimum wage next year due to economic hardship caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The National Assembly’s Finance and Budget Committee has agreed not to adjust the minimum wage in 2021 and has warned about the pressure on public debt payment.

Businesses will have one fewer thing to worry about in 2021 as the minimum wage is not expected to be increased for privately-owned enterprises.