The whole province of Quang Ngai has nearly 72,000 workers and laborers working in units with trade unions under the Provincial Labor Federation, mainly concentrated in Dung Quat Economic Zone and industrial parks in the province (accounting for more than 63,200 people).
According to statistics, the average income of union members, civil servants and employees in Quang Ngai is only about 6.5 million VND/person/month. This income is only enough to meet their minimum living needs, cannot help them accumulate, take care of their families, or dream of a stable life for a long time.
On June 26, speaking with a reporter from Lao Dong Newspaper, Mr. Pham Thai Duong - Chairman of the Trade Union of Dung Quat Economic Zone and Industrial Parks of Quang Ngai province - said that the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor's proposal to increase the highest minimum wage by 9.2% is completely reasonable and very close to the practical life of workers.
In Quang Ngai, the average income is about 6.5 million VND/month. For single workers, this level is already a difficult one. They have to " though up their belts", spend frugally to hope to make a living. If there is a family and young children, it will be even more difficult to cope. Increasing salaries in the current context is necessary, helping workers stay strong in their profession and stay with the enterprise for a long time," Mr. Duong shared.
Although the number of workers is increasing, Quang Ngai currently does not have low-cost social housing exclusively for workers. Most workers working away from home have to rent accommodation in cramped, damp rooms, priced from 1 to 1.5 million VND/month. In addition, the cost of electricity, water, living expenses... has caused their small salaries to be "erased" every day.
Ms. Lan (character's name has been changed) - a worker at Tinh Phong Industrial Park (Son Tinh district) - shared with reporters: "I started working here in 2017. Working 8 hours a day earns about 6 million VND, working overtime to 10 hours earns nearly 8 million VND. Having been with the company for 8 years, the salary has increased very little, while prices have been climbing. I am still single but have not saved anything. Many women with families and young children have to borrow money to cover expenses. It's very difficult!.
Not only does Lan have a limited salary, she also faces increasingly high living expenses. Because she lives away from home, she rents a small room of less than 10 square meters to live with her friend. Electricity fee is calculated up to 3,000 VND/kWh, plus water, Wi-Fi...
"Every year, at a company meeting, workers propose to increase their salary, but the business owner shook his head. Worse, those who often speak out are made difficult by their managers, making mistakes in everything at work. Therefore, we are very afraid to say it, even though life is really miserable. The proposal of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor to increase the highest minimum wage by 9.2% makes us more confident in the Trade Union organization. If the salary is increased, it will be a great joy for us workers" - Ms. Lan expressed.
