Companies in Vietnam may increase the minimum wage from October 1, instead of January 1, 2012 as earlier planned.
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| Early pay rise expected to improve people’s living standards |
The Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA) plans to seek the Government’s approval this month to increase wages, said Deputy Minister Pham Minh Huan.
Huan said that the move was expected to improve people’s living standards, which had been affected by inflation.
According to the wage increase roadmap for the 2008 and 2012 period, annual payment rises are often announced on October 1 and usually take effect on January 1. The latest increase was scheduled for January 1 next year, he noted.
Soaring goods prices and mounting difficulties had triggered a change in the timing of the raise, he explained.
The rise should help consolidate salary levels in different economic sectors, along with ensuring minimum living conditions for workers, he emphasised.
The ministry will gather opinions form enterprises and local authorities on the salary rise next week before officially submitting the proposal to the Government.
Salaries may vary regionally, from VND1.4 million VND1.9 million (USD67.8-USD92), he added.
