Mountainous teachers hope for salary increase along with price stabilization

On the morning of June 29, the National Assembly passed the Resolution of the 7th Session of the 15th National Assembly. In which, the National Assembly agreed to implement the contents of salary reform; adjust pensions, social insurance benefits, preferential benefits for people with meritorious services and social benefits from July 1, 2024.

The basic salary will be adjusted from VND 1.8 million/month to VND 2.34 million/month (an increase of 30%) from July 1, 2024. This is the highest increase ever.

With more than 20 years of dedication to the education career in the northern province of Ha Giang , Ms. Bui Thi Huyen (teacher at Yen Minh Primary School) said that she and her colleagues are very happy to receive a salary increase. This will be a great source of motivation for teachers to be more enthusiastic. The salary increase helps to have an additional expense to cover living expenses.

According to Ms. Huyen, everyone is excited when salaries increase. Especially teachers who are facing difficulties and working in mountainous areas. However, the desire that goes hand in hand with salary increases is that market prices will be stable. If prices also increase, the salary increase will lose some of its meaning. Everyone is worried that prices will fluctuate in the near future.

According to Ms. Huyen, since the beginning of this year, when there was information about salary increases, some items have "followed the rain" and started to increase in price. This will make teachers' lives more difficult. They have an additional source of income but have to worry about spending frugally. She herself is also worried that market prices will increase when the basic salary increases.

"Some items in my hometown have also started to increase in price since the beginning of the year. The price of chicken used to be 140,000 VND/kg and now it has increased to 160,000 VND/kg. Other items have also increased slightly by 5,000 to 10,000 VND.

"If salaries increase but prices also increase, it is not good. Everyone wants prices to be stable. From there, the salary increase will be very meaningful. The lives of teachers in mountainous areas will be improved," Ms. Huyen said.

Sharing the same opinion, Ms. Nguyen Thu Huong (teacher at Ta Tong Primary and Secondary School for Ethnic Minorities, Muong Te, Lai Chau ) was excited to receive the news that the basic salary will increase by 30% from July 1.

"I came from Phu Tho to work here for more than 20 years. My children are still in my hometown. Before, my income was not high, so I had to spend frugally. The salary increase is a motivation for me and other teachers in the highlands to be more enthusiastic about the job.

However, if salaries increase, we also hope that prices will remain stable, and essential goods will remain priced. If market prices increase, we will be very worried," said Ms. Huong.

According to Ms. Huong, the salary increase is only meaningful when prices are kept relatively stable, especially for essential goods. In addition to those eligible for a salary increase, freelancers will have difficulty making up for the increased cost of goods.