Speaking to Lao Dong Newspaper reporters on December 14, Ms. Tran Thi Ngan - Deputy Head of a commune health station in Thai Binh province - said that in recent years, medical staff at the grassroots level like her have only received Tet bonuses.
"This Tet bonus was transferred by the district health center. I didn't know how much money I got until I sent it. Although there hasn't been any announcement from the center this year, I guess the Tet bonus will be the same as last year - around a few million dong," Ms. Ngan shared.
According to Ms. Ngan, this amount of several million VND is nothing compared to her family's spending needs at the end of the year, but it also encourages the spirit of medical staff at the grassroots level like her.
Meanwhile, medical staff at district-level facilities also do not expect high Tet bonuses this year.
"This year, I predict there will still be a Tet bonus, but it will probably only be at the same level as last year for employees like me," said Ms. Hoang Thi Thu, a nurse at a district hospital in Thai Binh province.
According to the nurse, if the hospital performs well in any year, there will be a Tet bonus; each employee and each position will have a different Tet bonus. However, there are still years when there is no Tet bonus.
"The hospital is completely autonomous. Meanwhile, this year, I see that the hospital has to spend a lot to renovate the facilities, so the bonus may not be high," Ms. Thu predicted.
Also at the district level like Ms. Thu, Ms. Nguyen Thi Le - a medical staff at a district-level medical facility in Bac Giang province - said that the unit is completely autonomous, while this year there are many payments, so the Tet bonus may not be as good as last year. Last year, she received a Tet bonus of 15 million VND.
"I heard the leader say that this year the basic salary will increase, so the Tet bonus will not be the same as last year. Every year, we also have additional income every quarter, but since July until now, there has been none" - the female employee reflected.
According to Ms. Le, every year, medical staff like her have additional income every quarter, but since July until now, there has been none.
The Chairman of the Health Sector Trade Union of a northern province said that there is currently no report on Tet bonuses sent by units.
"However, through understanding, I see that provincial hospitals will basically have Tet bonuses, but district hospitals have not seen any specific reports. This year, the basic salary will increase, while district medical facilities will be autonomous, so they will face a bit more difficulties" - said a union official.
According to this person, the price of medical services has not increased yet, which is also an influencing factor, because sometimes the revenue is not enough to cover the expenses.
According to the Chairman of the Health Sector Trade Union, at provincial hospitals, through understanding, the highest expected 2025 Tet bonus is about 20 million VND/person; the lowest is 7-8 million VND/person...
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