If workers have to take time off work due to floods, are they entitled to receive wages?

NGUYEN THU (Nam Sach)

Article 99 of the 2019 Labor Code stipulates severance pay as follows:

In case of work stoppage, employees will be paid as follows:

1. If due to the employer's fault, the employee shall be paid full salary according to the labor contract.

2. If it is the employee's fault, he or she will not be paid.

3. If there is an electrical or water problem that is not the employer's fault, or due to a natural disaster, fire, dangerous epidemic, war, relocation of the operating location at the request of a competent state agency, or for economic reasons, the two parties shall agree on the salary for the suspension of work as follows:

a) In case of suspension of work for 14 working days or less, the agreed salary for suspension of work shall not be lower than the minimum wage.

b) In case of suspension of work for more than 14 working days, the salary for suspension of work shall be agreed upon by both parties but must ensure that the salary for suspension of work for the first 14 days is not lower than the minimum wage.

Floods are natural disasters. Therefore, if work is suspended for 14 working days or less, the agreed salary for the suspension of work shall not be lower than the minimum wage. If work is suspended for more than 14 working days, the salary for the suspension of work shall be agreed upon by both parties, but the salary for the first 14 days must not be lower than the minimum wage.