More "breath" in the overtime cycle
Attached to the production line at Thang Long Industrial Park (Hanoi) for nearly 4 years, Ms. Ha Thi Huyen (from Nghe An) said that with the nature of work requiring 12 hours of continuous standing per day, having one more day off to receive full salary is "very precious".
Standing for 12 hours, my legs are tired at night, many days I don't want to take any more steps. If I have an extra day off and still get paid, I can rest or go home to visit my children, my spirit is more relaxed to work better" - Ms. Huyen shared.
For female workers, if they have more days off without affecting their salaries, this is a valuable time for direct workers like her to regenerate labor, thereby increasing labor productivity.
Not only Ms. Huyen, Mr. Nguyen Huu Hau - a construction worker in Hanoi - believes that in the context of having to work overtime regularly to improve income, the time fund for himself and his family is increasingly narrowing.
From the reality of workers' lives, Mr. Hau not only hopes to have one more day off, but also expects to have real leave, which is not to be "compensated for work" or overtime before and after the day off; the day off does not reduce allowances and bonuses; workers are not reduced in standard working hours and have more annual leave days.
In the period towards the goal of increasing labor productivity and sustainable development, such policies can become a driving force and lever to help improve the quality of human resources" - Mr. Hau expressed.
Vacation days in Vietnam are lower than in many countries in the region
Currently, according to the Labor Code, Vietnamese workers have about 11 full-time holidays and Tet holidays each year. This number is at a low average compared to many countries in the region.
For example, in Thailand: about 16-19 holidays/year, Indonesia: 16 days, Philippines about 18 days, Japan: 16 official holidays. Time. so said that Nepal has 35 holidays/year - the highest in the world, Cambodia: 21 days, India, Philippines: about 18 days...
Previously, according to a report by the International Labor Organization (ILO), the general trend in many countries was to increase the number of days off and reduce working hours to ensure physical and mental health for workers.
Thus, if the "Vietnam Culture Day" proposal is approved, Vietnam's number of holidays will increase to 12 days/year, closer to the regional level, although there is still a certain gap.
Regarding the proposal that November 24th every year is "Vietnam Culture Day", workers are entitled to leave work and receive full salary, the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor said that according to Resolution No. 80-NQ/TW of the Politburo, November 24, 2026 is identified as "Vietnam Culture Day" with the policy of being a full-wage holiday.
Because this day falls on Tuesday, many union members and workers have proposed that the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor propose to competent authorities to swap the working day from Monday (November 23) to make up for Saturday next week to create a 4-day continuous holiday from November 21 to November 24, 2026.
The Vietnam General Confederation of Labor informed that it will continue to summarize opinions from grassroots levels, continue to summarize grassroots opinions, coordinate to improve policies, improve welfare and stabilize labor relations.
