The ministry proposed that regional minimum wage should be increased by 6 percent on average in all four regions, or around VND200,000-280,000.

The proposal was made as consumer price index is projected to rise from 4-4.5 percent this year, making it difficult for workers to ensure the minimum living standard for their families with the current regional minimum wage introduced two years ago.

Specifically, the monthly minimum wage should be increased to from current VND4.68 million to VND4.96 million in region I; from VND4.16 million to VND4.41 million in region II, from VND3.64 million to VND3.86 million in region III, and VND3.25 million to VND3.45 million in region IV.

Region I covers urban areas of Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh City while region II covers rural areas of Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh City along with Can Tho, Da Nang and Hai Phong cities.

Region III covers provincial-level cities and districts of Bac Ninh, Bac Giang, Hai Duong, and Vinh Phuc provinces and region IV encompasses the rest of the country.