Workers hope for salary increase, allowances must also keep up
The information about the proposed increase in the regional minimum wage in 2026 by 7.2% is making Vinh Long workers expect their salaries and benefits to be adjusted soon to reduce spending pressure.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Lan, a Lefaso worker (Vinh Long), said that hearing the news of an increase in the minimum wage is a hope. "The current salary is enough to live on but it is still difficult, just need a few hundred thousand more per month to take care of my children's education and meals".
Currently, Ms. Lan earns about 7.5 million VND/month, mainly from the basic salary. With the constant increase in living expenses, she believes that adjusting allowances is also very necessary.
"If the allowances are toxic, heavy, or supported with lunch money, car money, children... if they increase according to the salary, it will be better," Ms. Lan added.
For Mr. Tran Van Tinh, a mechanical team worker, what is worth looking forward to is not only the new salary but also the total improved income.
"Increasing salaries is the right thing to do, but if the accompanying allowances are not increased, workers' lives will still be as limited as before. I hope the company will also consider the allowances and support, Mr. Tinh added.
The union proposes to increase allowances
Ms. Lam Thi Ngoc Ha - Chairwoman of the Trade Union of Ty Bach Company Limited - said that the company currently has about 9,600 workers and laborers. The average salary of workers ranges from 7 to 7.6 million VND/person/month, the average meal is 20,000 VND/meal.
"Before the regional minimum wage adjustment roadmap from 2026, the Trade Union is developing a plan to submit to the Company's Board of Directors to increase allowances and other supports at the same time as salary increases, to ensure real income for workers," Ms. Ha added.
Mr. Cao Huu Trong Bac - Chairman of the Trade Union of Lefaso Company - said that when the enterprise pays a basic salary higher than the regional minimum wage, the Trade Union has proposed to synchronously adjust allowances such as: overtime, hardship, toxicity, position... and have been applied.
"From the proposal to increase regional minimum wages expected to be applied in early 2026, the Trade Union will continue to propose adjusting corresponding allowances to ensure the rights and income of workers," said Mr. Bac.
Speaking with Lao Dong, Mr. Le Duy Khuong - General Director of Lefaso Company - affirmed: "In fact, the basic salary that the company is paying to employees is more than 7% higher than the regional minimum wage. However, when the State officially adjusts from the beginning of 2026, we will continue to review to have a reasonable adjustment plan."
Currently, the average income of workers at Lefaso Company is over 6.8 - 7.5 million VND/month (enough working days).
"If the allowances are adjusted in line with the new regional minimum wage, workers' income can increase by 350 - 400 VND/month, contributing to a significant improvement in life," Mr. Khuong added.
