Income of workers meets just 45% of expenditure needs: survey

Most of the current income of workers does not meet their expenditure, and in some cases, it only meets 45% of demand, according to a survey by the Institute of Workers and Trade Unions under the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour.
Income of workers meets just 45% of expenditure needs: survey ảnh 1Female workers of Hanoi’s North Thang Long Industrial Zone earn more money by selling food in the market. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - Most of the current income ofworkers does not meet their expenditure, and in some cases, it only meets 45%of demand, according to a survey by the Institute of Workers and Trade Unionsunder the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour.

The survey, which was conducted on 3,000 workers and 157businesses in six provinces and cities before the first round of regionalminimum wage negotiations in 2024, shows that 52.3% of employees work overtimewith an average time of 1.75 hours per day, said Pham Thi Thu Lan, theinstitute’s vice director.

Most surveyed workers volunteered to work overtime to earn extraincome and improve their lives, Lan said.

In 2024, the shortage of orders is forecast to continue, as 17.2%of surveyed enterprises said that the shortage of orders next year willincrease compared to this year.

The basic salary, including full-time work, is more than 6 millionVND (258 USD) per month, 8.4% higher than the March 2022 survey, and 37.5% to51.9% higher than the regional minimum wage.

Meanwhile, the average expenditure in 2023 is 12 million VND (504 USD)per month, increasing by 19% against 2022, of which expenditure for foodaccounts for 70%.

The survey also shows that incomes of over 24% of labourers meettheir basic expenditure while incomes of 75.5% of labourers do not meetexpenditure.

According to the vice director, more than 53% of the labourerssaid that they had to reconsider getting married or having children because oftheir low incomes.

Regarding accommodation, more than 23% of the salary goes on rentat an average rate of 1.8 million VND (75.6 USD) per month, includingelectricity and water fees.

Most of the 157 surveyed enterprises develop salary scales as perthe levels of regional minimum wage, while 23.4% of the enterprises cut offallowances for training and hazardous work.

Nguyen Thai Duong, vice president of Vietnam’s textile and garmenttrade union, said the union wanted the workers to have jobs and higher incomes,but the businesses have faced many difficulties.

In the first half of this year, the export turnover of the sectordecreased by 20%, equivalent to 4 billion USD, and the number of workers wholost their jobs reached more than 600,000 people.

Therefore, this situation will affect workers' wages and theminimum wage that is about to be negotiated, said Duong.

Increasing the regional minimum wage is meaningful.

However, for people with higher salaries, such as the averagesalary in the textile industry of 8.8 million VND (370 USD) per month, whenincreasing wages, their real income does not increase, he added./.
VNA

See more

Nguyen Thanh Ha, Consul General of Vietnam in Western Australia and the Northern Territory presents Certificates of Commendation from the Consul General to students and volunteers in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the organisation of Xuan Que Huong (Homeland Spring) 2025. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese community in Australia united through youth engagement

Speaking at the ceremony, Nguyen Thanh Ha, Consul General of Vietnam in Western Australia and the Northern Territory, praised the dedication of young Vietnamese living in the region. She emphasised that the success of Xuan Que Huong was built not only on its colourful performances, but also on the strong sense of responsibility and tireless behind-the-scenes efforts of students and volunteers.

A full suite of automated technologies has been deployed across the Terminal T2 at Noi Bai International Airport, giving travellers greater control over their procedures from check-in to boarding. (Photo: VNA)

Noi Bai Airport to operate expanded int’l terminal with comprehensive automation

The upgrade follows directives from the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Construction and is designed to ease pressure on existing infrastructure by lifting the terminal’s annual capacity from 10 million to 15 million passengers. For the first time, a full suite of automated technologies has been deployed across the terminal, giving travellers greater control over their procedures from check-in to boarding.

Soldiers help flood-hit communities clean up in Hoa Thinh commune, Dak Lak province. (Photo: VNA)

Concerted efforts help disaster-hit communities rebuild lives

The “Quang Trung Campaign” to rapidly repair and rebuild houses for affected families in central provinces is seen as a catalyst for faster and more sustainable recovery, extending beyond housing restoration to reinforcing essential infrastructure, enhancing community resilience, and strengthening public trust in the Party and Government.

Associate Professor Dr Nguyen Manh Hung, Vice President of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, addresses the dialogue in Hanoi on December 15. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam among Asia’s leaders in governance capacity

Vietnam has climbed 12 places in the 2025 Chandler Good Government Index (CGGI) since 2021, rising from 60th to 48th globally. Over the past five years, the country has recorded progress in six out of seven CGGI pillars, making it one of Asia’s most notable governance reformers.

Scientific research activities at the National Hospital of Endocrinology. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam sets roadmap for intellectual workforce to 2045

The strategy aims to build a high-quality Vietnamese intellectual workforce with a rational structure, identified as a core driving force for the rapid development of modern productive forces, as well as a leading force in digital transformation, innovation and international integration.

Le Duy Thanh, former Chairman of the Vinh Phuc People’s Committee, is escorted to the courtroom. (Photo: anninhthudo.vn)

Appeal trial opened for Phuc Son Group corruption case

According to the first-instance verdict, Nguyen Van Hau, Chairman and CEO of Phuc Son Group, exploited personal and professional connections to bribe over 132 billion VND (over 5 million USD) to leaders of the Party Committees, People’s Committees, and departments in Vinh Phuc and Quang Ngai, enabling Phuc Son Group to secure many contracts in these localities and Phu Tho province.

A performance at the year-end review programme in Sydney on December 14, co-organised by the Vietnam-Australia Scholars & Experts Association and Vietnam-Australia Cultural Exchange Organisation. (Photo: VNA)

Gathering honours knowledge, culture, community spirit of OVs in Australia

Addressing the gathering that drew more than 300 guests, Vietnamese Consul General in Sydney Nguyen Thanh Tung highlighted contributions of the Vietnamese community in Australia, particularly intellectuals and professionals, to the host society as well as cooperation between the two countries.

Agricultural production models help farmer access modern technology to improve output. (Photo: VNA)

Three national target programmes basically meet, exceed 2021-2025 goals

A report from the Central Steering Committee for National Target Programmes for the 2021–2025 period showed that poverty reduction in ethnic minority-inhabited areas averaged 3.2% per year. Per capita income among ethnic minorities is estimated to reach 45.9 million VND (1,760 USD) in 2025, a 3.3-fold increase from the 2020 level, well surpassing the goal of more than doubling.

Professor Dr. Tran Hong Thai receives the honorary doctorate title and certificate from Professor Nikolay Rogalev of MPEI. (Photo published by VNA)

Vietnamese professor awarded honorary doctorate by Moscow institute

Professor Dr. Tran Hong Thai, Standing Vice President of the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST) was granted an Honorary Doctorate by The Moscow Power Engineering Institute (MPEI) for his outstanding contributions to scientific development, education and international cooperation in the energy sector.