To make the joy of a raise complete.

According to Government Decree 161/2026/ND-CP (issued on May 15, 2026), the basic salary will increase by approximately 8% compared to the current level; at the same time, pensions and social insurance benefits will also be adjusted upwards by 8%, with those receiving low pensions receiving a minimum of 3.8 million VND/month.

This is not just an economic decision, but also has significant social welfare implications, especially in the context of continuously rising living costs. Electricity bills, medical expenses, service fees, and food prices alone have placed considerable pressure on those with fixed salaries.

For civil servants and public employees, a salary increase can somewhat alleviate the pressure of "living hand-to-mouth." Currently, teachers, healthcare workers, or grassroots officials, even with many years of service, still struggle to make ends meet if they live in large cities. Meanwhile, the demands of digital transformation, administrative reform, and streamlining the bureaucracy mean many people have to work at a higher intensity than before.

Notably, persistently low salaries also make it difficult for the public sector to retain talented individuals. Many young professionals choose private companies over government agencies due to the significant income disparity. Therefore, this salary adjustment is, to some extent, a positive sign, demonstrating concern for the workforce within the public sector.

However, the group most eagerly awaiting this is probably the retirees. After years of service, many now only receive a pension of a few million dong per month. As they get older and their health deteriorates, that money has to cover medication, living expenses, and supporting their children and grandchildren. For them, a few hundred thousand dong extra could cover a month's worth of medicine or necessary utility bills like electricity and water.

However, what worries many people is that "prices rise before they even have a chance to celebrate the wage increase." Years of experience have shown that after each wage adjustment, the prices of some essential goods often rise in line with market sentiment. Without solutions to control inflation, the additional increase is easily eroded, preventing a significant improvement in the quality of life.

Therefore, salary increases need to be accompanied by comprehensive social security policies. First and foremost is controlling prices, especially for electricity, healthcare, education, and essential food items. The government also needs to continue reforming the salary system towards paying salaries based on job position and work performance, avoiding a uniform system.

For retirees, there is a need for specific support policies for those who have been receiving low pensions for many years, especially those who are single or suffer from chronic illnesses. Besides pensions, it is more important to help them reduce their financial burden through quality public healthcare, affordable medications, and community-based senior care programs.

A developed society is measured not only by its economic growth rate but also by how it cares for those serving in the state apparatus, especially those who have reached retirement age. Salary increases are welcome, but for citizens, especially retirees, to truly "breathe easier," more sustainable and long-term social security policies are needed.

According to VINH TUNG (NLDO)

Source: https://baogialai.com.vn/de-niem-vui-tang-luong-tron-ven-post587704.html