Employees concern about potential removal of wage scales and payroll may worsen their benefit

During the visit to the northern province of Ha Nam on May 20, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc had a discussion about the recent wage reform with nearly 1,000 workers at industrial zones in the Red River Delta while asserting that workers played a very significant role in the success of Vietnam.

Responding to the concern of workers on the recent wage reform, the Prime Minister  affirmed that the employment's salary amended in the Resolution 7 of the Party Central Committee formed on the basis of agreement between the employee and the employer, which follows the market rules under the management of the Government.

The Government regulates the minimum wage level to protect workers, of which it is also one of the bases for wage negotiation and labor market regulation.

Beyond that, employers will negotiate wages with employees to assure that their pay correlates with their work efficiency.

Enterprises shall be given autonomy in deciding their wage policies and paying salaries based on labor productivity and production efficiency of the business. 

Thus, the concerned agencies were asked to carefully consider all issues to prevent  employers from using wage to pressure employees.

During the discussion, workers also mentioned their difficulties in daily life, work, wage, housing, kindergartens and schools for their children and expressed hope to have more support from the Government and local authorities.

As a result, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc suggested the localities to apply the model of building trade union institutions selling cheap housing for workers.

There should also be a system of kindergartens so that children can have standard daycare centers, creating an optimal conditions for workers.

According to Nguyen Duc Chung, chairman of the People’s Committee of Hanoi, the city built a kindergarten in North Thang Long Industrial Park and assigned the local authorities to build additional two preschools in the park.

In August, it will also have apartments developed in the Industrial Park, sold at the price of $8,900 to $17,800 each. Additionally, the Transport and Services Corporation of Hanoi was also required to increase bus services ride to and from the park.