VietNamNet Bridge – An increase in the minimum wage moved a step closer yesterday after the National Wage Council agreed to increase basic salaries.

GSO (General Statistics Office) has released a report showing that labor productivity is VND93.2 million per worker, or $4,159, in accordance with 2017 prices. 

 VietNamNet Bridge – Bui Van Cuong, President of the Viet Nam General Confederation of Labour, speaks to Viet Nam News Agency about the need to reform the country’s salary system.

 VietNamNet Bridge – The Viet Nam Textile and Apparel Association (VITAS) yesterday proposed that the regional minimum wage (covering four regions in the country) not be increased next year.

The forthcoming spikes in the region-based minimum wages are expected to improve workers' incomes but production costs in labor-intensive industries will certainly pick up.

The minimum wage is too low for workers to survive on while social housing is inadequate and too expensive for them, trade unions told HCM City’s leaders at a meeting on Sunday.

Real wages in Vietnam have increased by 8 percent per annum, higher than the GDP growth rate, while regional minimum wages have increased by 12.2 percent per annum, higher than the labor productivity increase.

 VietNamNet Bridge – The monthly minimum wage will increase by an average of 7.3 per cent next year.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Bui Sy Loi, Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Committee on Social Affairs spoke to Thoi bao Kinh te Viet Nam (Viet Nam Economic Times) about changes to the 2012 Labour Code.

VietNamNet Bridge - The 7.3 percent increase in the minimum wage increase for 2017 is the smallest increase in the last decade but businesses still do not like it. 

VietNamNet Bridge - The steering committee of Vietcombank, members of the board of directors and supervisory board receive VND1.9 billion a year in salary each. 

 VietNamNet Bridge – Bui Sy Loi, deputy chairman of the Social Affairs Committee of the National Assembly, talks with Thoi Bao Kinh Te Viet Nam about calculating minimum wages for employees.

VietNamNet Bridge – Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Pham Minh Huan spoke with Thoi bao Kinh te Viet Nam Newspaper about measures needed to improve labour relations, in a bid to reduce strikes.

 VietNamNet Bridge – The National Wage Council is expected to launch a survey in late March or early April to collect data for region-based minimum wage increases in 2017.

A report from Navigos Search, an executive search management consultancy service provider, found that in HCM City, healthcare tops the list of the 10 fields which offer the highest pay to mid-tier and high-ranking officers. 

The minimum wage increase, a lack of highly qualified personnel and strict regulations on extra working hours all have been cited by foreign invested enterprises (FIEs) as problems they are facing.

 VietNamNet Bridge – In September 2015 the National Wage Council (NWC) of Vietnam proposed an across-the-board sharp increase in the monthly minimum wage of 12.4% effective the beginning of next year.

The Vietnam General Confederation of Labor has sent a proposal to the Prime Minister seeking an increase to the minimum salary in 2016 of 14.4 per cent, saying it did not agree with the increase 12.4 percent decided on by the National Wage Council.

VietNamNet Bridge - The sharp minimum wage increase of 12.4 percent and the new insurance premium calculations to be applied from 2016 have caused concern among businesses. 

 VietNamNet Bridge – Though the minimum wage spike has three and a half months to go, enterprises in the labor-intensive textile and garment sector are scrambling to find ways to cope with this financial burden.