Many workers have to borrow money every month
Recently, the VGCL proposed adjusting the regional minimum wage from January 1, 2027 with two options. In which, option 1 increases from 360,000 - 520,000 VND, an average increase of 9.8% compared to 2026; option 2 increases from 315,000 - 450,000 VND, an average increase of 8.5%.
To have a basis for making proposals, in March and April 2026, the VGCL surveyed 196 businesses in 7 provinces and cities with nearly 2,000 workers participating in answering questionnaires.
Survey results show that financial difficulties also make many workers turn to loans to offset expenses.
Through surveys, up to 26.8% of workers regularly have to borrow money monthly to stabilize their lives, a sharp increase compared to 12.5% in 2025. The survey also shows that 32.7% of workers occasionally have to borrow money every 3-4 months to solve arising needs.
As a component assembly worker at Thang Long Industrial Park (Hanoi), Ms. Nguyen Thi Trang clearly feels the increasing financial pressure. The rented room of about 15m2 in Hau Duong village, Thien Loc commune, Hanoi is the residence of 4 people including Ms. Trang, her husband, mother-in-law and young child. Another child of hers is being cared for by her grandfather in her hometown.
Ms. Trang shared that in months when there are not many part-time jobs, her income is only about 9 million VND after deducting insurance premiums. This is the salary level of a worker who has worked for more than 10 years. "If you work overtime a lot, your income can increase by 2-3 million VND per month. If there are fewer jobs, it only adds a few hundred thousand VND to about 1 million VND," Ms. Trang said.
Her husband is also a worker, and the income for both husband and wife must be borne by rent, living expenses, raising young children, taking care of the elderly mother and sending them back to their hometown for their eldest children. "The salary just returned is divided among all expenses, almost no money left," Ms. Trang lamented. She hopes that the regional minimum wage from 2027 will be adjusted according to the highest plan, creating a basis for businesses to increase wages, helping workers reduce spending pressure.
Trade unions participate in the process of considering salary adjustments
Agreeing with the adjustment of the regional minimum wage, Mr. Nguyen Van Vi - Chairman of the Trade Union of Fuyu Precision Technology Co., Ltd. (Bac Ninh) - affirmed that this is a proposal that brings direct benefits to union members and workers. According to Mr. Vi, increasing wages means increasing income, improving the quality of life and helping workers reduce pressure from essential costs in the context that the economy is still heavily affected by world fluctuations. "Every worker wants wages to be increased. When income increases and living conditions are improved, workers will be more assured of working and attached to the business," Mr. Vi said.
Currently, Fuyu Precision Technology Co., Ltd. has about 31,500 employees. The salary level the enterprise is applying is 5.7 million VND/month, about 20% higher than the regional minimum wage level II according to the company's operating area. According to the trade union official, at the enterprise, the company's Trade Union Executive Committee always participates in the process of considering annual salary adjustments as well as evaluating year-end bonus regimes for employees.
Mr. Vi said that the role of trade unions in representing and protecting workers' rights is increasingly clearly shown.
