Necessary concern
Mr. Nguyen Van Canh - Chairman of the grassroots trade union of JIA ZHI Co., Ltd. (Can Tho City) said that adjusting the minimum wage is the desire of a large number of workers. According to him, previous wage increases often only helped workers increase by a few hundred thousand VND per month, while living expenses increased faster.
Every worker wants to have their salary increased. The important thing is that the increase must help improve real income and partially compensate for the increase in commodity prices," Mr. Canh said.
According to him, the increase proposed by the VGCL is suitable for the current context. This is a level that can help workers improve their income, while still creating conditions for businesses to gradually adapt. In addition, he also said that it is necessary to continue to review the division of minimum wage zones to accurately reflect the actual living standards of each locality.
He cited an example in the Vi Thanh area (Can Tho) - where the regional minimum wage level III is being applied, but many consumer goods and actual living costs are high. According to him, adjusting salary policies needs to be linked to actual living conditions to ensure the rights of workers.
Meanwhile, Ms. Nguyen Huynh Tu Thanh - Vice Chairwoman of the Grassroots Trade Union of Phuong Dong Export Food Processing Co., Ltd. (Can Tho City) said that increasing the regional minimum wage at the present time is necessary and has practical significance for workers.
According to Ms. Thanh, the increasing cost of living makes many worker families have to tighten spending. Therefore, adjusting the minimum wage will contribute to reducing financial pressure, helping workers stabilize their lives and feel secure in sticking with the business.
Increasing the minimum wage will help improve the lives of workers. This is a very necessary concern in the current context," Ms. Thanh shared.
At this enterprise, in addition to the basic salary according to region II regulations, employees also enjoy professional allowances and allowances for heavy and hazardous work. However, according to her, the adjustment of the minimum wage is still of great significance because this is the basis for calculating many related regimes and rights of employees.
Step by step improving the lives of workers
Mr. Le Quang Trung - former Deputy Director in charge of the Department of Employment (Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, now the Ministry of Home Affairs) said that adjusting the minimum wage from January 1, 2027 is necessary.
According to Mr. Trung, when considering the minimum wage increase plan, the National Wage Council will consider many factors such as economic growth rate, consumer price index, fluctuations of essential goods and business affordability. However, the ultimate goal is still to ensure a minimum living standard and gradually improve the lives of workers - the force that directly creates wealth for the economy.
Mr. Trung also said that in addition to adjusting the minimum wage, businesses and trade union organizations need to continue to promote the role of collective labor agreements and build more welfare policies to support workers.
In the long term, improving labor productivity is still a fundamental solution to increase income sustainably. When workers are better trained in skills, adapt to digital transformation and new technologies, businesses will create more value, thereby having conditions to increase wages and improve the lives of workers.
