VietNamNet Bridge – According to reports of enterprises, the lunar New Year (Tet) bonus this year increases from last year. In particular, the highest Tet bonus belongs to a company in the southern province of Dong Nai, with VND650 million ($32,000).




According to the report from the Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs, in 2012, due to the impact of the economic downturn, business activities were more difficult but in general, wages and Tet bonus remained stable and tended to increase over the previous year.

Statistics from over 11,000 companies in 63 provinces show that the average salary in 2012 was VND4.3 million, up 12% compared to 2011 (VND3.8 million). Particularly, the average bonus for the Western New Year 2013 is VND1.1 million ($50), up 18% from 2012. The highest level belonged to a foreign-invested firm in Ho Chi Minh City, with VND624.2 million ($30,000). However, some companies did not have Western New Year bonus.

For the Lunar New Year bonus, the average level is VND3.5 million compared to VND3.2 million of 2012, an increase of 8.7%. A foreign-invested company in Dong Nai province pays the highest Tet bonus, up to VND650 million.

Ms. Tong Thi Minh, a senior official from the Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs, says that the above figures come from the reports of over 11,000 enterprises, only approximately 3% of operating firms, with more than 2 million workers (16%).

Minh said that salaries and bonuses for workers in 2012 tended to increase over the previous year, but they are only enough to offset inflation. In fact, wage debt is still widespread in many enterprises. The arrears of social insurance is also a problem, with about VND3 trillion ($143 million) a year.

Compiled by M. Lan