Escalating prices, workers' lives face difficulties
Escalating commodity prices are directly affecting the lives of workers, especially low-income workers. Wages increase slower than prices, making the spending problem increasingly stressful. Many families are forced to change their living habits to adapt.
Ms. Tran Thi Kim Cuc, a worker at Jinquan Vietnam Tourism Equipment Co., Ltd. in Nam Dong Ha Industrial Park, Quang Tri province, has been attached to the job for more than 10 years. In recent years, financial pressure has increased sharply as her children enter university. Tuition and living expenses have increased rapidly while income has not improved significantly.
To manage, Ms. Cuc had to tighten her spending. Non-essential expenses were all cut. She took advantage of overtime and overtime to earn extra income. However, life is still at a standstill level. "With the current income, the family has to save a lot to afford to send our children to school. We have to calculate each item because salary has not kept up with living expenses" - Ms. Cuc shared.
Not only Ms. Cuc, many other workers are in a similar situation. Food prices, travel costs, electricity and water prices are increasing simultaneously, causing spending to increase, while workers' income mainly depends on working days, productivity, and is difficult to improve quickly.
Some businesses have adjusted the minimum wage. However, the increase is not enough to cover living expenses. Businesses are also under great pressure as input material prices increase. Maintaining stable production is already a great effort, so it is difficult to increase wages sharply.
Ms. Ton Quynh Anh - Chairwoman of the grassroots Trade Union of Jinquan Vietnam Tourism Equipment Co., Ltd. - said that workers' salaries have increased but have not kept up with the market. Businesses have to balance orders and costs, so they cannot adjust flexibly according to prices.
Businesses and trade unions share difficulties
Faced with price pressure, many businesses implement practical support policies. At Hoa Tho Dong Ha Garment Company, workers are supported with gasoline money. The support level is increased from 100,000 VND to 200,000 VND/person/month when fuel prices increase. This is a timely adjustment, helping to reduce travel costs.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Dinh, a garment worker in group 9, said that most workers live far from their workplace. The increase in gasoline prices has significantly increased travel costs, so the support helps reduce spending pressure and feel secure at work. In addition to supporting gasoline, businesses also organize free breakfast and lunch for all workers. This policy helps save costs and ensure the health of workers.
In the industrial production environment, adequate and punctual meals contribute to maintaining labor productivity. This is also a factor in retaining workers. Along with businesses, the Trade Union organization promotes its role in supporting workers. Many practical activities have been implemented such as free health check-ups, welfare booths, and support for discounted purchases.
The Trade Union actively dialogues and negotiates with businesses to improve the regime. The content focuses on increasing allowances, increasing the value of meals, and adjusting salaries.
Mr. Nguyen Minh Duc, Deputy Head of the Industrial Zone Trade Union Committee, Quang Tri Provincial Labor Federation, said that grassroots trade unions are required to closely grasp the lives of workers, focusing on the group of workers in difficult circumstances and raising young children. Workers are also supported with loans from the national job creation fund to increase income.
