Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - The Government requires enterprisesto give sufficient salaries and year-end bonuses to employees, and havepolicies to encourage workers to return to work after the Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday.

It is part of Resolution 156/NQ-CP on the regular Government meeting lastmonth, which was signed by Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh.

Also in the resolution, the Government requested the Ministry of Labour,Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA) to give direction to localities to supportpeople who have made great contributions to the nation and the poor tohave a safe and joyful holiday.

Localities should encourage enterprises to get employees back to work, andlimit labour shortages after the holiday.

The Government required localities to keep a close watch on staff reductions inenterprises having difficulties, and promptly report to the Prime Minister.They must guide enterprises to implement policies for workers based onregulations.

The MoLISA will assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with theMinistry of Public Security, the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour(VGCL), the Vietnam Social Security and concerned agencies in reviewing thelist of workers who have lost their jobs, especially in industrial zones, tourgently implement support policies.

The Government asked the Ministry of Transport to ensuresmooth transportation of goods and passengers during the Lunar NewYear holiday, as well as convenience and safety.

In the resolution, the Government requests the Ministry of Public Security toeffectively control crimes during the holiday to keep social security andorder.

Tran Thi Thanh Ha, head of the Labour Relations Division under theVGCL, said that industries facing difficulties due to falling orders couldreduce wages and Tet bonuses.

Ha added that Tet bonus thisyear would fall by 15-20% compared with last year. The number of peoplereceiving 100 million VND (4,200 USD) would be few. Most people will have bonusequal to one or two months' salary.

This year has seen many changes for both enterprises and workers. In thefirst months of the year, enterprises employed many people with highsalaries. But from June onwards, the situation changed. Enterprises limitedrecruitment and did not have many new jobs at the end of the year.

Despite many difficulties, the Hung Yen Garment Corporation decided to give Tet bonuses to employees equal to twomonths' income.

It is an increase of 10% compared with last year.

Nguyen Xuan Duong, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Textile and ApparelAssociation, said as for the textile, leather and footwear industries, the endof this year is an extremely difficult period.

But, in general, export turnover still exceeded the target and workers’ salarywas adjusted up.

Tet bonus of the industry still has remarkable growth compared tothe previous year.

The average salary increased by about 5-7%. Workers would receive at least onemonth's salary as a bonus, he said.

Phan Thi Thanh Xuan, Vice Chairwoman of the Vietnam Leather, Footwear andHandbags Association, said that enterprises in the industry committed toensuring workers’ rights, especially for the Tet bonus.

This year, despite orders declining, enterprises maintain the bonus, whichincreased by 5 to 6% compared with last year./.