Can a wife who forces her husband to work excessively long hours be fined between 20 and 30 million VND?
Mr. A. works at a company during the day, and his wife still requires him to deliver goods until late at night, exceeding his physical limits and affecting his health. Is this considered a violation of forced labor? If so, what is the penalty? This is a concern raised by Mr. Nguyen Van A. (Hung Vinh Ward, Nghe An Province).
Reply:Based on Article 44 of Decree 282/2025/ND-CP, the following provisions define acts of economic violence:
Article 44. Acts of economic violence
1. A fine of between 20,000,000 and 30,000,000 VND shall be imposed for any of the following acts:
a) Appropriating common family property or the private property of another family member;
b) Destroying common family property or the private property of another family member, but not to the extent of incurring criminal liability;
c) Forcing family members to work excessively long hours;
d) Forcing family members to make financial contributions beyond their means;
d) Controlling the assets and income of family members in order to create a state of dependence in terms of material, emotional, or other aspects.
2. Remedial measures:
a) To compel the restoration of the property to its original state for violations of the provisions of point b, clause 1, of this Article, except in cases where the property cannot be restored to its original state;
b) To compel the return of property obtained through unlawful possession or to compel the payment of an amount equal to the value of the property obtained through unlawful possession that has been consumed, disposed of, or destroyed in violation of the law to the lawful owner for violations of the provisions in points a, d, and e of Clause 1 of this Article.
Therefore, depending on the nature and severity of the violation, a wife forcing her husband to work excessively long hours may be fined between 20 and 30 million VND.
From December 15, 2025, Decree 282/2025/ND-CP, replacing Decree 144/2021/ND-CP, officially takes effect, marking a tightening of the law against economic violence within the family.
