Ms. Pham Thi Phuong (42 years old) - a goods inspection worker in Thai Binh said that 6 years ago, there were not many companies operating, the prices of everything in her hometown were very cheap. Since the companies were established in their homeland, the standard of living and market prices have increased higher than before.
"At that time, earning 4 million VND/month was enough to ensure the family's life, but now, even with a salary of 8 million VND, we still have to spend frugally" - Ms. Phuong said.
Ms. Phuong said that her regional minimum wage of 6 years ago was 3.2 million VND, now 4.1 million VND - it is very difficult to live on.
Ms. Phuong added that in rural areas with developed industrial parks, prices are as expensive as in the city.
Previously, most people lived at home farming, so rice, vegetables, fruits, and even meat were self-sufficiently provided, and prices were very stable. Even if it increases, it will not affect it. Now everyone goes to work, so everything is converted into money, the price increase will make the income not abundant.
According to the female worker, re-dividing the area is very necessary to adjust the regional minimum wage accordingly. Ms. Phuong also hopes that the regional minimum wage will increase further to ensure the lives of workers in real time.
"We cannot rely on basic needs to determine how much is enough to live on for the minimum wage. Thiet thinks that the regional minimum wage needs to be adjusted to increase to 6% annually to suit the prices and needs of life" - Ms. Phuong expressed her opinion.
Ms. Pham Thi Dan (33 years old, Nam Dinh) shared that she used to work in the city, so she clearly understands the price. According to Ms. Dan, it is not accurate to say that the costs in the countryside are lower.
"Although only vegetables and fruits in the city are more expensive, the price of meat is also the same as in the countryside, even cheaper at many times. Many industrial mass-produced items are as low as 2⁄3 in the countryside, said Ms. Dan.
According to Ms. Dan, she works in region 3 but has a standard of living equal to region 2. Therefore, the female worker suggested that the State should consider raising the area higher to ensure a reasonable minimum wage for workers.
Explaining further, Ms. Dan said that many companies choose to go to rural areas to open factories and recruit workers. The basic salary in the countryside is quite low, so it will save costs for the company but reduce the income of workers. When receiving social insurance benefits later, workers will also suffer greatly.
According to the female worker, if the zone cannot be increased, it is necessary to adjust the regional minimum wage to increase by at least 6% per year.
The Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs has just requested provinces and cities across the country to review the application of the 2024 regional minimum wage.
In addition, localities also need to evaluate and propose the current zoning adjustment, in order to prepare for the proposal to the Government to adjust the regional minimum wage for 2025 in the coming time, according to the provisions of Article 91 of the Labor Code.
