Mr. Bui Ba Dinh is currently a plastic casting worker in Thuong Tin commune, Hanoi.
Mr. Dinh said that as a worker working in region I, he expects that when the proposal of the National Wage Council is approved, businesses will have early adjustments and increase income for workers.
Mr. Dinh is renting a house with 2 colleagues near his workplace. Each month, the rent is 2.5 million VND; electricity and water bills in winter are about 1 million VND, and in summer 1.7 million VND.
If all 3 of us get a salary increase based on the minimum wage increase, contributing is enough to pay for electricity and water bills each month, considering it a light expense," Mr. Dinh said.
Mr. Dinh also added that the information that the National Wage Council finalized the proposal to increase the regional minimum wage in 2027 by 7.8% from January 1, 2027 quickly became the focus of discussion at many companies and factories. For direct workers, this is a very practical spiritual medicine.
Usually, businesses pay workers higher than the minimum wage, but when there is an official decision to increase, we are still adjusted more or less through adjusting overtime pay, contribution level, social insurance benefits... Living expenses, rent, and food in region I are quite expensive. The amount of several hundred thousand VND is not too large for many people, but for workers, that amount is equal to several days of market money or enough to buy shampoo, laundry detergent, cooking oil... for the whole month," Mr. Dinh shared.
As an electronic component assembly worker at Thang Long Industrial Park (Hanoi), Mr. Nong To Hieu said that he has high expectations for the proposal to increase the regional minimum wage by an average of 7.8% from January 1, 2027.
Currently, he works in region I, so if the proposal is approved, the regional minimum wage is expected to increase by about 390,000 VND/month.
I am renting a room alone, not yet married, so living expenses are not too much. Every month, in addition to rent, I try to save to send a portion back to help my parents in the countryside. For many people, nearly 400,000 VND may not be a large amount of money, but for workers like me, it is very meaningful" - Mr. Hieu said.
Mr. Hieu said that this increase is enough to pay monthly electricity bills, thereby reducing spending pressure and helping him spend more on his family.
The amount of 390,000 VND, I no longer have to consider too much every time I pay for electricity or incur some small expenses. The savings I can send back to my parents or save when needed. Life will be less difficult" - the male worker shared.
According to Mr. Hieu, more importantly, the increase in the regional minimum wage will become the basis for businesses to adjust salary scales and increase basic wages for workers.
Currently, my company is paying a basic salary higher than the regional minimum wage. Therefore, when the State adjusts the minimum wage, businesses will also have a basis to continue to increase the basic salary. This not only helps increase monthly income but also entails other benefits such as overtime pay, leave pay and social insurance contributions and benefits" - Mr. Hieu said.
