While employers are rallying for a freeze on a wage rise next year, employees are pushing for a 13.3% pay increase.
The National Wage Council had a closed-door meeting in Haiphong City on Tuesday over the possibility of adjusting region-based minimum wages for 2018.
This was the first meeting between groups representing employees and employers, and government agencies.
The technical department of the National Wage Council suggested three options, with the first seeking a 5% rise, or VND130,000-180,000 (US$5.72-7.92) per month depending on regions, the second a 6% increase (VND160,000-220,000) and the third a 6.8% spike (VND180,000-250,000).
Meanwhile, the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor proposed increasing minimum wages by 13.3%, or VND370,000-450,000 per month depending on regions.
Representatives of employers floated two options, with one proposing keeping wages unchanged and the other suggesting a rise of 2% to 5%.
According to large corporations, the economic gloom and the uncertain future of the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade pact have made export operations difficult.
Therefore, a pay raise this time around would pile pressure on enterprises.
However, the General Confederation of Labor said the economy in 2017 has shown signs of improvement, with newly-established enterprises greater than closed or suspended businesses, unemployment decreasing compared to 2016 and gross domestic product (GDP) expanding 6%.
At the first meeting, the parties concerned just presented their views on the matter. The National Wage Council’s second meeting in early July will delve into details.
The National Wage Council in August last year decided to adjust up the minimum wages by 7.3% on average in 2017.
The minimum monthly wage is VND3.5 million (US$154) for region one, VND3.1 million for region two, VND2.7 million for region three and VND2.4 million for region four.
SGT