Training Workshop on Wage for Trade Union Officers

Objectives of the Conference

Overall objective of the training workshop is to provide officers of upper level trade unions with better understanding of minimum wage regulations so that compliance of minimum wage at enterprise level will be improved. The training workshop also aims at promoting the role of upper trade union in wage fixing at enterprises. It is also expected that upon completion of the workshop internal coordination mechanism within trade union system will be established and put into operation for VGCL’s stronger participation in minimum wage fixing process.

Date and venue

The training workshop will be organized on 7-8 March 2016 in Do Son, Hai Phong.

Expected outputs

• Information paper on minimum wages in 2013-2015 – legal regulations and actual situation at firm level;
• Information paper on regional minimum wages in 2016 and orientation of VGCL;
• A summary report of VGCL consolidating discussion of the participants on minimum wage implementation and how to promote role of trade union in wage fixing at enterprise level;

The introduction of a tripartite National Wage Council as the main minimum wage fixing institution has created positive impacts on industrial relations in Vietnam. The Council, officially launched in August 2013, has the mandate to deliberate on and produce recommendations on minimum wage adjustment for the Council’s consideration and decision. It is composed of representatives of the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, Vietnam General Confederation of Labour, and employers’ organizations at central and sectoral level [VCCI, VCA, SME BA, LEFASO and VITAS].
In November 2015, based on recommendations of the National Wage Council, the Government issued decree 122/2015/NĐ-CP stipulating minimum wage rates of four regions as follows: region I: 3,500,000 VND per month, region II: 3,100,000 VND per month, region III: 2,700,000 VND per month and region IV: 2,400,000 VND per month.
It is important for VGCL to promote implementation of these newly adopted regional minimum wages and play more active role in wage fixing at enterprise level. Within this context, the Vietnam- ILO Industrial Relations Project will provide support for the VGCL to organize a wage training workshop: updating legal regulations on minimum wages and role of trade union in minimum wage fixing at enterprise level.