Working hard is still not enough to spend
According to the reporter's records, although working continuously and regularly every month, the income of some workers is just enough to cover their living expenses and there is almost no savings.
Ms. Dam Thi Van (Cao Bang), a worker in Bac Thang Long Industrial Park, said that each month she works no less than 24 hours, earning about 12-13 million VND. However, with the increasing cost of living, she still does not find it "easy to breathe".
Ms. Van's family has two young children, one over 20 months old and the other in grade 1 this year. Although this school year is exempted from tuition fees and health insurance is supported at 50%, books, uniforms, boarding meals and other expenses are also very expensive.
"My monthly rent is more than 1 million, I spend about 2 million on food, plus money for taking care of my children, wedding gifts, visits and other expenses... my remaining income is not much", Ms. Van shared.
Not only the pressure of her child's tuition, this month Ms. Van's husband also quit his job to find a new job, so there is no salary, all expenses depend on her salary.
Like Ms. Van, with a salary of more than 10 million VND/month, Ms. Nguyen Thi Hanh (Tuyen Quang) also feels very pressured every time the new school year comes. If every year, Ms. Hanh's family of 4 will rent a room in Bac Thang Long Industrial Park to live, but this year, due to economic difficulties and high school spending for her eldest son, Ms. Hanh had to send her child back to her hometown to study to reduce the cost burden.
"Last year, because my child could not keep up with his friends, I had to hire an outside guardian. There are only two sessions a week but the cost is quite expensive. This year, if we continue to rent, the family's economy will not be able to cope, and we are still keeping our children here to study, worried that their children will become increasingly weak. Finally, I had to send my child back to my hometown.
Being away from children is something no parent wants, but this year my family has to accept it, Ms. Hanh shared.
Doing extra work to have enough finances to take care of your children
Ms. Nguyen Thi My Hanh has been a worker for more than 15 years in Bac Thang Long Industrial Park, currently earning about 12 million VND/month. In addition to her husband's income, her family's economy is not too tight, but with 3 children of school age, every time the new school year comes, the couple has to calculate each amount carefully.
"In terms of tuition fees, I spend more than 1 million each month in March, and my child's boarding meals are also announced to increase prices, not to mention English learning, life skills, and class allowances," said Ms. Hanh.
Currently, Ms. My Hanh works for 4 consecutive days, working 12 hours a day, then taking 2 days off. To earn more income and take advantage of her days off, Ms. Hanh goes to the market to sell cakes, earning from 50,000 - 200,000 VND/session.
"Even though the income is not high, it is good to get whatever you earn," said Ms. My Hanh.
This year, to prepare her children's luggage before the new school year, Ms. My Hanh had to save a few months ago. If she does not save early, she will have to borrow more to cover the cost.
In fact, most workers today's income is only enough to cover daily expenses such as accommodation, electricity, water, food and education for their children. Any arising issue in the new school year will become a huge pressure.
