Workers share their thoughts at Dien Hong Hall: Wages and jobs

The first Labor Forum was held at Dien Hong Hall - National Assembly House with the theme "Improving policies and laws related to workers and trade unions", on the afternoon of July 28, chaired by National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue.

Also attending the forum were leaders of the National Assembly, many ministries, departments and central branches and 500 union officials, union members and workers from all provinces, cities, branches, corporations and affiliated general companies, representing 11 million union members and more than 50 million workers nationwide.

A series of issues were raised by workers and laborers at Dien Hong Hall, including thoughts and aspirations about jobs, salaries and income.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thuy Hong, a worker at Garment Company 10, shared that currently, the situation of businesses lacking orders is very common, causing millions of workers to lack or lose their jobs, leading to low incomes, making life even more difficult, and many workers and laborers are caught up in "black credit".

Expressing that workers have never wanted to go to work as much as they do now, Ms. Hong suggested that the National Assembly and the Government have solutions to expand the market, attract investment, and disburse public investment capital to create new jobs, sustainable jobs, and ensure a living wage for workers.

Ms. H'Chuyên Nie, a worker at Cuôr Đăng Rubber Plantation, Dak Lak Rubber Joint Stock Company, Dak Lak Province, said that for workers, going to work is first and foremost to earn a salary to support themselves and their families, and then to contribute to building the country. The issue of salary is of concern to all union members and workers, especially direct workers.

In recent years, the State has paid attention to increasing the basic salary and regional minimum wage to reduce difficulties and improve the lives of civil servants, public employees and workers. However, in reality, while salaries have not increased, prices have increased; the minimum wage has not met the minimum living standards of workers; the salaries of most civil servants and public employees are still far from meeting basic living needs.

She proposed that the National Assembly continue to pay attention to supervision and find solutions to continue improving salaries for civil servants, public employees, armed forces and regional minimum wages so that workers can improve their quality of life, creating more motivation to continue contributing to agencies, units, businesses and the country.

“A living income is also a solution to prevent corruption and retain civil servants and public employees in the state agency system,” Ms. Nie said.

Responding to the above concerns, Minister of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs Dao Ngoc Dung said that by 2030, Vietnam will strive to be one of the pioneering countries in social policies and satisfactory employment.

The Minister also mentioned the expected selection of three breakthroughs that are closely related to workers. First, creating a stable labor market, focusing on livelihoods and sustainable employment. Second, focusing on minimum institutions in health and education. Third, focusing on developing the housing system.

Regarding the issue of salary reform, Mr. Dao Ngoc Dung analyzed that during the 3 years of the COVID-19 pandemic, the workers and civil servants did not receive a salary increase, but the workers and laborers still received an increase in the regional minimum wage. The two groups of people whose social benefits were adjusted were people with meritorious services and other social protection groups.

In addition, from July 1, 2023, all relevant subjects have had their salaries adjusted. On August 8, the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs will hold a meeting of the National Wage Council with relevant agencies to review, evaluate, and assess the current situation, production and business levels, business production situation, growth rate, workers' income, etc. to calculate whether to adjust the minimum wage in 2023 or not, and if so, how to adjust it.

"This will be assessed fundamentally and systematically, then there will be a specific plan in the spirit of harmony, creating conditions for businesses to develop and then creating jobs for workers," said Mr. Dao Ngoc Dung.

Speaking at the forum, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue said that the regional minimum wage in the production sector and wage reform in the public sector are implemented according to Resolution 27-NQ/TW in 2018 on reforming wage policy for cadres, civil servants, public employees, armed forces and workers.

The National Assembly has passed resolutions on this issue many times, most recently the Resolution of the 5th Session of the 15th National Assembly assigned the Government to report on the salary reform roadmap, including the public and private sectors, at the 6th Session taking place in October 2023 to review the roadmap and balance resources.

Before salary reform, the National Assembly Chairman said that he would consider adjusting the regional minimum wage based on the principle of ensuring a minimum standard of living for individuals, the inflation index, etc. The labor relationship between enterprises and employees must be harmoniously resolved. Because salary is the income of employees and the cost of enterprises.

Therefore, according to Mr. Vuong Dinh Hue, the competent authorities will coordinate to advise, report, consider and submit to the Government for decision. If agreed, a decree will be issued. The Social Committee and the National Assembly agencies will strengthen supervision.