Electricity prices increase, food prices increase
Recently, Vietnam Electricity Group adjusted the average retail price of electricity with an increase of 4.8%. The sudden increase in electricity prices has affected the lives of workers in Binh Duong.
Ms. To Thi Phuong (47 years old, from Bac Lieu, temporarily residing in Phu Chanh ward, Tan Uyen city) said that her family of 4 lived in a rented room of about 15 square meters. Ms. Phuong and her husband work as workers with a total monthly income of about 14 million VND. With this amount of money, Ms. Phuong's family had to struggle to cover their living expenses. Recently, when electricity prices have increased, Ms. Phuong is more worried because it is the summer.
Every month, her family has to pay 1.8 million VND for the room. Of which, the room rent is 1.1 million VND, the water fee is 80,000 VND, the rest is the electricity fee.
"For a kWh, we have to pay the landlord 4,000 VND. My family uses up nearly 155 kWh per month, and has to pay 620,000 VND for electricity. For my family, this amount is too high. Using electrical equipment makes us very frugal. But now it's hot and sunny in the summer, the rental room is stuffy, so I always need to turn on the fan," Ms. Phuong shared.
Not only has electricity prices increased, but many food items have also increased in price recently. Many essential goods such as pork, vegetables, and gas have recorded a significant price increase, affecting the lives of people, especially workers.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Kieu (37 years old, from Nghe An, working as a worker in Thoi Hoa ward, Ben Cat city) said: "Previously, my family went to the market for only about 90,000 VND per day for the family of 4. However, now it must increase to 110,000 VND per day. Pork prices, some types of fish and vegetables have increased slightly".
Increasing regional minimum wage helps grassroots unions negotiate with enterprises
Recorded in enterprises with many workers in Binh Duong, the increase in electricity prices and many commodities has affected the lives of workers. The grassroots trade unions have also recognized and grasped the concerns of workers.
In An Phu ward, Thuan An city, Thong Dung Shoes Company Limited has thousands of sewing workers. Mr. Nguyen Minh Tien - Chairman of the Company's Trade Union said that the lives of workers in boarding houses were already difficult, now prices have increased, continuing to have a negative impact on the lives of workers.
"In just one year, electricity prices have increased twice in a row. Workers discuss and lament the fact that their wages have not increased. Meanwhile, electricity bills have increased, and living expenses have also increased. This forces workers to reduce their food and beverage spending to rebalance their family activities, said Mr. Nguyen Minh Tien.
Meanwhile, in An Thanh ward, Thuan An city, Shyang Hung Cheng Company Limited has about 7,000 workers. Recently, enterprise production has declined. Workers work only about 8 to 9 hours a day, so their income is not high. Meanwhile, the increase in electricity prices and commodities has caused difficulties for workers.
Workers have proposed organizing a dialogue to propose salary increases and the Trade Union has noted the workers' opinions to discuss with the enterprise. However, the State has not yet increased the regional minimum wage, so it is very difficult for the grassroots trade union to negotiate with enterprises.
"Currently, the Trade Union is continuing to recommend that businesses increase wages for workers. However, it is very difficult for businesses to increase salaries at this time, said Mr. Mai Thanh Tuyen - Chairman of the Trade Union of Shyang Hung Cheng Company Limited.
