Workers expect a raise

According to a survey by relevant agencies, currently, enterprises in the province are applying the regulations on regional minimum wages quite well. However, with the increasing cost of living, most workers want to have their salaries increased soon to ensure a better life.

Workers' income is still low

Ms. Le Thi Hong - a worker at a garment company in Suoi Dau Industrial Park (Suoi Dau Commune) has worked for more than 5 years, with a basic salary of only over 4 million VND per month. Combined with allowances and overtime, Ms. Hong's monthly income is 8 million VND. Ms. Hong's husband works as a security guard at a hotel in Nha Trang Ward, earning more than 8 million VND per month. Ms. Hong's total income is more than 16 million VND per month, while each month, the couple has to pay more than 3 million VND for rent, electricity, and water. Ms. Hong said: "Every month, my husband and I save a lot to cover expenses, living expenses, and school fees for our 2 children. What I want most is for my salary to improve so that I can save some money each month for my children's future. At the same time, the province is interested in implementing the construction of social housing for workers at preferential prices to create conditions for us to access."

Workers of a seafood processing company in Suoi Dau Industrial Park.

Likewise, Mr. Nguyen Van Khanh - a worker at a seafood processing company in Dien Phu Industrial Park has worked for 7 years, with a monthly salary of 8 million VND. In months when there are many products, the company organizes overtime, along with allowances and bonuses, Mr. Khanh's total income is more than 10 million VND. His wife washes dishes for a pho restaurant every morning, with a monthly salary of only 2.5 million VND. With that income, Mr. Khanh and his wife have to be very frugal in spending to be able to take care of their family. Mr. Khanh said: "My wife and I have a total income of more than 12 million VND/month, while we have to take care of the education costs of 2 children and living expenses at home, so we don't have any money left. Not to mention, when the company has no goods, I take overtime and my income is reduced. My dream of having money to save to buy land and build a house is very far away. Moreover, since after Tet until now, prices have increased, electricity bills have increased while workers' income has increased not increased, making life even more difficult. We really hope that the State and enterprises will soon adjust and increase workers' salaries to ensure a stable life...".

The current regional minimum wage is applied according to the provisions of Decree No. 74, dated June 30, 2024 of the Government stipulating the minimum wage for employees working under labor contracts. At the same time, from July 1, 2025, the determination of the regional minimum wage will be implemented according to the new commune administrative unit. In Khanh Hoa, it is applied from region II to region IV. specific, the level of 4.41 million VND/month and 21,200 VND/hour (region II) includes the wards: Nha Trang, Bac Nha Trang, Tay Nha Trang, Nam Nha Trang, Bac Cam Ranh, Cam Ranh, Cam Linh, Ba Ngoi, Ninh Hoa, Dong Ninh Hoa, Hoa Thang and the communes of Nam Cam Ranh, Bac Ninh Hoa, Tan Dinh, Nam Ninh Hoa, Tay Ninh Hoa, Hoa Tri. The level of 3.86 million VND/month and 18,600 VND/hour (region III) includes the wards: Phan Rang, Dong Hai, Ninh Chu, Bao An, Do Vinh and the communes: Dai Lanh, Tu Bong, Van Thang, Van Ninh, Van Hung, Dien Khanh, Dien Lac, Dien Dien, Suoi Hiep, Dien Tho, Dien Lam, Cam Lam, Suoi Dau, Cam Hiep, Cam An, Ninh Phuoc, Phuoc Huu, Phuoc Hau, Phuoc Dinh, Ninh Hai, Xuan Hai, Vinh Hai, Thuan Bac, Cong Hai. The level of 3.45 million VND/month and 16,600 VND/hour (region IV) includes the remaining communes, wards and special zones.

No agreement on regional minimum wage increase

According to the survey results of the Department of Home Affairs, currently, the regional minimum wage as prescribed is applied by all enterprises in the province to pay social insurance for employees. In reality, many enterprises pay employees higher than the regional minimum wage. specifically, the average salary of employees in one-member LLCs with 100% state capital is 13.8 million VND/person/month; the average salary of employees in companies with shares and capital contributions controlled by the state is 13.3 million VND/person/month; the average salary of employees in private enterprises is 11.8 million VND/person/month; the average salary of employees in foreign-invested enterprises is 12.8 million VND/person/month. Most enterprises implement wage policies well, so the labor relations in the province are maintained harmoniously and stably.

Working hours of Komega-X Co., Ltd. workers.

According to a survey by the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor in March and April 2025, 54.9% of employees said that their salary and income were just enough for their family's basic expenses; 26.3% had to spend frugally; 7.9% had to do other jobs to earn more income to cover their living expenses. Income has not yet met the family's spending needs, so employees have to "tighten their belts" and save to ensure their lives. Based on the survey, the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor has proposed two options to increase the regional minimum wage by 8.3% and 9.2% compared to 2024 - 2025. The proposed increase in the regional minimum wage by employee representatives aims to ensure employee rights and create conditions for businesses to recover and develop in a context of many challenges. However, the Vietnam Confederation of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) proposed a regional minimum wage increase of 3 to 5% for workers; the technical department of the National Wage Council proposed a regional minimum wage increase of 6.5 - 7%. Because the parties have not yet reached an agreement on the regional minimum wage increase, the National Wage Council has not yet been able to submit to the Government for considering a decision to increase the regional minimum wage, but must wait for the meeting in August 2025 to finalize the plan.

It can be said that increasing the regional minimum wage is an urgent requirement from practice, to ensure the lives of workers, contributing to creating stability in labor relations. In the current context, enterprises need stability for production and business. Therefore, it is necessary to reconcile the interests of enterprises and workers. Increasing hours is also a solution to attract and retain workers.

PHU AN

Source: https://baokhanhhoa.vn/xa-hoi/202507/nguoi-lao-dong-mong-duoc-tang-luong-bf53758/