In late September, Trade Union Chair at Song Ngoc Garment Company Tran Thanh Son and company leaders began discussing the Tet bonus plan for workers. Son said the Tet bonus is a headache for many employers now. However, Song Ngoc has committed to offer Tet bonus to 300 workers.

“Workers expect to receive the 13th month salary, VND9 million per worker on average. One-month salary as Tet bonus is our great effort at this moment,” Son said.

Enterprises experienced a tough year in 2021 because of the pandemic. In 2022, their operations, which have not recovered, were affected by a shortage of orders from US and European partners. The exchange rate fluctuations and bank loan interest rate hikes have also hurt them.

Nguyen Ngoc Luan, CEO of Meet More Coffee, hoped that his workers would sympathize when they receive the 13th-month salary as a Tet bonus, VND10 million/person.

Nguyen Hoang Dat, director of Vinahe in Binh Phuoc province, said that his workers would receive VND7-30 million. Those with excellent achievements will get additional bonuses.

“Vinahe still maintained its workforce, while other companies laid off many workers. Workers should understand the real situation and have sympathy with us,” Dat said.

Tran Thi Tuyet Trinh, HR Director of Aeon Vietnam, said retailers have high demand for seasonal workers before Tet and find it difficult to recruit workers at that time.

Aeon is offering attractive job opportunities to about 1,000 workers to ensure normal operation during the upcoming Tet holiday. About 20 days before Tet, seasonal workers will receive 150 percent of salaries, and if they accept work on holidays, they will get 400 percent.

The survey on the best places to work in Vietnam in 2022 by Anphabe showed that though difficulties still exist, the situation of workers has improved considerably. As of September 2022, 56 percent of workers had a pay rise, 38 percent had salaries unchanged, and only 6 percent had seen their salaries decrease.

Ngoc Cuong