News about minimum wage

At a National Assembly group session on October 18, delegate Châu Quỳnh Dao (An Giang) said pay rises of about 1.5-2 million VND would be outweighed by 2-3 million VND in added essential costs. She cited food costs at traditional markets up 10-15%, boarding rent in industrial areas up 12-18%, and health and education services up about 7.5%. She urged the government to publish a cost-of-living index for low-income groups and to delay public service price increases until six months after a minimum wage rise. Delegate Hoàng Quốc Khánh (Lai Châu) welcomed the increase in commune civil servants' public service allowance from 25% to 55%, but asked for further review and support for staff at commune comprehensive service centers, who do not receive this allowance.