Hanoi (VNA) – All 15 members of the National Wage Councilagreed to submit a proposal to the Government to increase the regional minimumwage in 2019 by 5.3 percent during their third meeting in the northern portcity of Hai Phong on August 13.

Under the proposal, the minimum salary in region 1, which covers Hanoi,Ho Chi Minh City, Hai Phong, Bien Hoa city, Thu Dau Mot city, Vung Tau city,and some rural districts of Dong Nai and Binh Duong provinces, will rise by200,000 VND (8.8 USD) per month.

The rise in region 2, which includes the remaining rural districts ofHanoi and Hai Phong, Hai Duong city, Hung Yen city, and some rural districts ofHung Yen, will be 180,000 VND (7.9 USD) per month.

Meanwhile that of region 3, consisting of the remaining provincialcities, Chi Linh town, and some of the rural districts in Hai Duong and VinhPhuc provinces, and the remaining localities in region 4 will be 160,000 VND (7USD) per month.

Deputy Minister of Labour, War Invalids, and Social Affairs Doan MauDiep, who is also President of the National Wage Council, said that theGovernment aims to create opportunities to negotiate for parties to narrow thegap in their proposals.

In two previous meetings in July, members of the council failed to reachconsensus in the regional minimum salary rise for 2019. In the second meeting,the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), which represents employers,changed its mind from not making any increase to a 2 percent rise. However theVietnam Cooperative Alliance proposed a 4 percent rise and the Vietnam GeneralConfederation of Labour (VGCL), the labourers’ representative,– insisted on anupturn of 8 percent.

VCCI Vice President Hoang Quang Phong said that he is not satisfied witha rise of 5.3 percent because for the business community, this increase would requirecertain efforts as well as sharing with labourers. It would also forceenterprises to cut down unnecessary costs, enhancing their competitiveness andtechnology to improve productivity, and thus raising their payment capacity.

Director of the Institute of Workers and Trade Unions under the VGCL VuQuang Tho affirmed that the National Wage Council has put in place thestipulation that following salary adjustments, businesses will not be allowedto cut any extra benefits or incomes ofworkers, such as travel or housingallowances and meal provisions.

The confederation will also strictly supervise the implementation of thenew wage amongst businesses. In order to meet the basic requirements of labourersin 2020, their salaries should be increased by 10 percent of the currentamount, an issue which will be considered in the next meeting of the council, Thorevealed.–VNA