In the meeting on the same day morning, representatives from union organisations proposed an increase of between 6.5 - 7.3%, while those from employers suggested maintaining an increase between 4 - 5%.
If the proposal is approved, the minimum wage for Regions I, II, III and IV will respectively rise by 280,000 VND (nearly 11.5 USD), 250,000 VND, 220,000 VND, and 200,000 VND to 4.96 million VND, 4.41 million VND, 3.86 million VND, and 3.45 million VND.
The hourly minimum wage will also increase by 6% starting from the same date, with the highest increase level for Region I at 23,800 VND per hour.
Regionally-based monthly minimum wages vary between four different regions based on four separate benchmarks determined by living standards in each area.
Region 1 covers urban Hanoi and HCM City; Region 2 covers rural Hanoi and HCM City along with Can Tho, Da Nang and Hai Phong cities; Region 3 applies to cities and districts of Bac Ninh, Bac Giang, Hai Duong, and Vinh Phuc provinces; and Region 4 encompasses the remaining localities.