VietNamNet Bridge – Workers' wages continued to increase last year while the salary difference between professions widened, a Government study has found.
The Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA) did the study as a basis for the annual adjustment in regional minimum wages under a roadmap to achieve a single minimum wage for each industry.


It polled more than 1,580 businesses with at least 10 workers and more than 14,450 workers in various industries, Tong Thi Minh, head of MoLISA's Department of Labour and Wages told Kinh Te Hop Tac Viet Nam (Viet Nam Cooperative Economy) newspaper.


The study was done in 15 cities and provinces that represent the country's eight economic regions, she said.


The average monthly salary paid by businesses and enterprises was VND3.2 million, a 10.3 per cent increase over 2009.

Workers in private and State companies got VND3.3 million, an 8.6 per cent rise.


Public servants got the highest pay at VND3.8 million, a 10 per cent rise.


Foreign companies hiked wages by 11 per cent to VND3 million.


Private businesses paid the smallest salary, VND2.7 million, but offered the highest increase of 12.5 per cent.


Miners and metallurgists were among the highest paid workers with VND9.2 million.


The banking and medical sectors followed with VND7.6 million and VND7 million respectively.

Electronics and telecom companies also paid well — VND5.5 million.


Workers in sectors using manual labour, like garment, leather and footwear, food processing, received the lowest wages of VND2.1 million-2.3 million.

Salary gap widens


Salary gaps too rose, the Ministry said.


The gap in wages between managers and staff at foreign companies, which used to be a factor of 10 in 2006, doubled to 20 times.


The gap at State-owned companies was seven to eight times.


This increasing difference in salaries between professions and positions meant employers paid greater attention to effectiveness, Minh explained.


It is essential for State companies to continue with their review of labour policies and regulations to ensure appropriate payment for the quality and quantity of work done, he said.


This year, under the roadmap for reform of wages and social insurance policies in the 2008-12 period, MoLISA will develop a model for adjusting regional minimum wages based on the gross domestic product, consumer price index, and the increase in wages.


It will be submitted to the Government for approval and introduced next year, Minh added.


VietNamNet/Viet Nam News