The Viet Nam General Confederation of Labour (VGLC) has submitted plans to increase the minimum wage by 16-17 percent in 2016 to the National Salary Council.

The National Salary Council will discuss plans to increase the minimum wage in 2016

If the plan is approved, each minimum wage level for all four of the country's wage zones will increase from 350,000 VND to 550,000 VND (16-25 USD).

The proposed monthly minimum wages are 3.65 million VND (168 USD) for Zone 1, a 550,000 VND (25 USD) hike; 3.2 million VND (145 USD) for Zone 2; 2.8 million VND (127 USD) for Zone 3; and 2.5 million VND (113 USD) for Zone 4.

Zone 1 covers urban Ha Noi and HCM City; Zone 2 covers rural Ha Noi and HCM City along with urban Can Tho, Da Nang and Hai Phong cities; Zone 3 applies to provincial cities and the districts of Bac Ninh province, Bac Giang, Hai Duong, and Vinh Phuc provinces; and Zone 4 takes care of the remaining localities. The salary hike is expected to meet only 86 to 88 percent of minimum acceptable living conditions.

(Source: VNA)