In 2019, continue to consider the proposal to increase the regional minimum wage.

The Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA) said that, sending opinions to the 6th Session of the 14th National Assembly, many voters proposed to increase the regional minimum wage because currently the salary of workers in factories and enterprises is still low, not ensuring their lives.

Responding to this issue, the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs said that according to Article 91 of the Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs Code, the regional minimum wage is adjusted based on the minimum living needs of workers and their families; socio-economic conditions and wage levels in the labor market.

In 2019, the highest regional minimum wage is 4,180,000 VND. Illustrative photo.

Based on the above regulations, from 2013 to 2019, every year the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, as a member of the National Wage Council, analyzed, assessed the reality, negotiated, agreed on a plan to adjust the regional minimum wage and recommended to the Government to announce the adjustment level: in 2014, the average increase was 15.2%; in 2015, the average increase was 14.2%; in 2016, the average increase was 12.4%; in 2017, the average increase was 7.3%; in 2018, the average increase was 6.5%; in 2019, the average increase was 5.3%.

From January 1, 2019, the minimum wage as prescribed in Decree No. 157/2018/ND-CP dated November 16, 2018 of the Government: Region I is 4,180,000 VND/month, Region II is 3,710,000 VND/month, Region III is 3,250,000 VND/month, Region IV is 2,920,000 VND/month.

The above minimum wage is the lowest wage paid to employees doing the simplest work, under normal working conditions. Other wages (paid to employees doing work requiring training) are implemented according to the agreement between the employee and the employer in the labor contract, collective labor agreement or the employer's wage regulations.

Therefore, to increase wages and income for workers, it is necessary to improve the capacity and quality of salary negotiation and agreement between workers and labor collective representative organizations at the grassroots level with employers.

In 2019, the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs will continue to coordinate with members of the National Wage Council to assess the minimum living standards and production and business conditions of enterprises to propose to the Government a plan to adjust the minimum wage in 2020, ensuring the minimum living standards of workers and their families in accordance with the spirit of Resolution No. 27-NQ/TW of the 7th Central Conference, Session XII.