Thinking back on the time off work after the Lunar New Year of Giap Thin 2024, Ms. Pham Nhu Quynh shared that although the Tet bonus was high, she had to trade off many things.
The Tet bonus at her old company was an average of 1 month's salary and other allowances of up to more than 10 million VND. However, during her work, she often felt pressured, even bursting into tears.
“The product code is difficult but the team leader does not give time to get used to it, still forcing the product out like the veteran workers. In the morning, we have to come 30 minutes earlier than the regulation, we are never allowed to sleep at noon, we have to go straight to work after eating or else there will be a backlog of products” - Ms. Quynh said.
Although she has a monthly annual leave, the female worker said it is very difficult to ask for leave. When there are family events such as death anniversaries, parties or weddings, she has to tactfully decline just because she cannot take the day off.
"Except for sick relatives or weddings, or taking care of parents, workers are only allowed to take time off work," said Ms. Quynh.
Therefore, when moving to the new company, the guaranteed vacation benefits made Ms. Quynh feel secure and could take leave without fear of being criticized by others. According to Ms. Quynh, the new company's Tet bonus was half as low but still worth it.
For Ms. Pham Thi Ly (38 years old, Bac Giang), the reason for quitting her job after Tet is to return to her hometown to have more time to take care of her children and parents.
Previously, Ms. Ly worked in Dong Nai and only dared to return to her hometown once or twice a year because of the high cost of transportation and the time it took. Her children had to be sent to their maternal and paternal grandmothers for convenience in care and education.
According to the female worker, in the countryside, going to work in the morning and coming home in the evening to teach her children and watch them, that is a happiness that is very difficult to buy with money.
“In the past, you had to go far to find a job. Now, there are many companies opening in the countryside. The jobs are stable, and the salary is only 1 to 2 million VND/month less than in large industrial parks. This amount, minus the rent, electricity, water, and living expenses, is the same as working in the countryside. If there is a job in the countryside, it is better to work near home,” said Ms. Ly.
Ms. Pham Thi Giang (27 years old) - a garment worker in Nam Dinh - shared that after 6 years of working, she wants to change to another job to try her hand and find new opportunities.
After 6 years of working as a worker, the salary has not increased significantly, always around 7 to 10 million VND/month. According to Ms. Giang, the current job is hard but it is difficult to make a breakthrough in income if you are not really good enough to become a manager.
Sharing her plan to quit her job after Lunar New Year 2025, Ms. Giang said that she plans to study Chinese to find a job or switch to the beauty industry.
“Currently, I work during the day, and study Chinese in the evenings and on Sundays to apply for a job at a hotel or Chinese company after Tet. My friend works as an interpreter for the director, earning more than 12 million VND/month,” said the female worker.
In the beauty industry, Ms. Giang plans to go to Hanoi to study and work at the same time. After a period of time, she will accumulate enough experience and have enough capital to open her own spa to do business.
According to Ms. Giang, changing to a different working environment helps her broaden her knowledge and increase her income. However, the female worker believes that she should carefully consider a long-distance job with her current relationships and family.
Lawyer Nguyen Doan (Hanoi Bar Association) said that if employees have legally quit their jobs, they need to pay attention to the amounts of money they can receive:
Unpaid wages: Upon termination of the employment contract, the employee will be paid in full all amounts related to benefits, including wages for the days worked that have not been paid.
Severance pay: If you have worked regularly for the company for 12 months or more, you will be paid severance pay when you leave.
Unemployment benefits: Unemployment benefits application must be submitted to the employment service center within 3 months from the date of contract termination for the social insurance agency to pay the benefits...
