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People who do not have Tet bonus

TH (according to VnExpress) January 25, 2025 14:53

Nguyen Hoa, 43 years old, deputy manager of a hotel in Thanh Hoa, was 'sad for several days' because the Tet gift bag from her office consisted of candy and a bottle of wine.

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Reduced or no Tet bonus for employees, the boss is also very worried and troubled.

More than 50 employees, from receptionists to managers, all received the same bonus. "I don't blame the agency," said Ms. Hoa.

Having worked in the hotel for more than 10 years, going through prosperous times and years without pay due to Covid-19, she understands that the hotel owner is not a stingy person, it's just that the company's revenue is not as expected.

In good business years, employees like her not only get a Tet bonus of 1-2 months' salary, but also receive necessities and lucky money at the beginning of the year.

But in the past 5-6 years, restaurants and hotels in Thanh Hoa City have sprung up like mushrooms, all with modern and beautiful investments. The hotel Ms. Hoa works at has existed for decades, and without capital to upgrade, has gradually been left behind.

"I am the deputy manager of a company but my salary is not equal to that of a worker," she said.

Ms. Hoa had intended to quit her job many times, but she submitted her CV to two or three places but was not accepted. At the age of 43, her abilities were not outstanding, and it was difficult for any unit to recruit her, so even though her Tet bonus for three consecutive years was only a gift bag, Hoa still agreed to stay.

With an income of nearly 20 million VND per month at an English center in Ho Chi Minh City, Ms. Thu Hang, 35, has not received her Tet bonus on December 25. "Last year, the bonus was paid on New Year's Day, one million VND. This year, there is no news," she said.

Thu Hang did not expect a high Tet bonus. But as a Vietnamese worker, she still wanted a small Tet bonus, even if it was a consolation, like other ordinary workers. Without a Tet bonus, the couple had to calculate every penny for their year-end expenses.

The Department of Labor Relations and Wages, Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs said that in 2024, the average income of workers nationwide will reach 8.5 million VND per month, while last year it was 8 million VND.

Ho Chi Minh City leads in Lunar New Year bonuses with the highest amount reaching over VND1.9 billion in FDI enterprises. The lowest bonus that employees receive is VND100,000, in many provinces and cities in all three regions.

Former Deputy Minister of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs Pham Minh Huan said that every year-end, society gets heated up by information about Tet bonuses, but in reality there is no Tet bonus. That is a bonus after a year of business. It is not a bonus born for Tet.

"Workers receive it close to Lunar New Year and use it for new year expenses, so they call it out of habit," Mr. Huan analyzed.

Mr. Pham Ngoc Linh, owner of an advertising and marketing company with more than 30 employees in Hanoi, said that for the past 10 years, no matter the most difficult times, his company has always given Tet bonuses to employees. "Only when employees are satisfied can they work effectively," he said.

Mr. Bui Quang Hieu, owner of three technology and education companies and human resources director of a business with more than 400 employees in Hanoi, said that whether his company is doing well or not, he tries to give 13th month salary or Tet bonus to employees.

There were years when Mr. Hieu's company, as HR director, faced difficulties, but he accepted bank loans to pay salaries and bonuses to employees.

"We would rather be in debt than have employees leave us after Tet, and have to spend money on recruiting and training them from scratch," he said.

From the perspective of the owner, Mr. Linh and Mr. Hieu think that most people want to give high Tet bonuses to their employees because they understand that only when they are happy and work effectively can the business develop.

If the Tet bonus is not as expected, the bonus is only in kind or the employee does not receive the bonus like Ms. Hoa and Ms. Hang, CEO Bui Quang Hieu thinks that employees should share and sympathize with the business owner.

''The boss is also very worried and troubled by the reduction in Tet bonuses or no bonuses for employees,'' said Mr. Hieu.

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Nguyen Ngoc Viet Anh in a cafe in Ho Chi Minh City, 2024

After 5 years of working, Nguyen Viet Ngoc Anh, 26 years old, in Ho Chi Minh City, has never received a Tet bonus, if any, it is not more than 300,000 VND.

There were years when the guy who worked in marketing had only been working for a few months before Tet. There were years when he quit near Tet. This year, Ngoc Anh changed jobs near the end of the year so there was no Tet bonus.

"Some people ask why I don't try to receive the Tet bonus before leaving. I don't think it's worth it," he said. Because his monthly salary is enough to cover his expenses, Ngoc Anh doesn't care too much about this bonus. He prioritizes experience and opportunities, instead of stopping at an unsuitable business just to wait for the Tet bonus.

Although she doesn't have any extra money like her friends, going through three companies in the past year has helped Ngoc Anh gain a lot of experience and skills to serve her current job.

“I think it's a trade-off and a choice,” said the young man, now a corporate marketing consultant.

TH (according to VnExpress)
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People who do not have Tet bonus