This is not only a technical decision but also has many meanings - both for workers, businesses and the economy.
In the context of rapidly increasing living prices in large cities, especially rental prices, food and medical services, increasing the regional minimum wage is not only a salary adjustment - but a practical life-saving measure for workers and unskilled laborers.
According to statistics, the majority of private sector workers, especially in industrial parks, still receive salaries close to or slightly higher than the minimum wage. The additional 7.2% increase may not cause workers to suddenly change their living standards, but it will give them more space and reduce spending pressure.
Notably, the 7.2% increase this time is higher than the 6% increase in 2024, demonstrating a clear effort in listening and accompanying workers.
For businesses, increasing regional minimum wages is always a "input" problem that causes pressure, especially for small businesses. However, looking at the development perspective, this is an opportunity for businesses to restructure, improve productivity and human resource policies.
In the context of the labor market competing strongly between localities, maintaining low wages will lead to human blood loss, increase the rate of unemployment, and instability in production. The problem is no longer salary cutting - but improving efficiency, investing in technology and creating a good working environment to retain people.
Increasing the regional minimum wage is not only a story of wallet money, but also a story of human value in the economy. The regional minimum wage is a boundary that demonstrates the State's commitment to protecting disadvantaged workers from exploitation. When the minimum wage is adjusted in time to the market, social trust increases, workers feel secure in contributing, reducing labor conflicts.
However, the 7.2% increase also raises greater expectations: When will the regional minimum wage reach the level of "salary enough to live on" - not just the floor level?
Increasing salaries must go hand in hand with increasing insurance, reducing healthcare - education - housing costs and especially holding back unreasonable price increases to bring real stability.
Each increase in regional minimum wage is not simply a number adjustment, but a policy message: "No one is left behind". The 7.2% increase for 2026 is a positive step forward, demonstrating a high consensus in protecting workers. But that was not enough. New thinking, transparent mechanisms and stronger political determination are needed to move towards a comprehensively developed economy - where workers are not only living enough, but also living worthyly, in accordance with the efforts and values they have created.
