Workers worry about commodity prices "racing" with wages

On the eve of wage reform, many people are worried that wages will increase but not keep up with the increase in prices of goods. Photo: Tuyet Lan

Essential goods prices increase slightly

According to Lao Dong Newspaper reporters at some traditional markets and supermarkets in Hanoi, some items tend to increase in price before the salary reform. At the people's market in Me Tri Thuong area (Hanoi) on the morning of June 22, the prices of essential items such as fresh vegetables, pork, chicken, eggs, etc. increased slightly.

According to the survey, vegetable prices increased slightly from 2,000-3,000 VND/kg. Chinese cabbage increased from 28,000 VND to 30,000 VND/kg. Cabbage 16,000 VND/kg, Malabar spinach increased from 8,000 VND to 10,000 VND/bunch, water spinach 13,000 VND/bunch,... Chicken eggs, duck eggs increased to 3.3 thousand VND/egg. Black carp and snakehead fish cost 100,000 VND/kg...

Prices of livestock, poultry and seafood products at supermarkets have not fluctuated much. At Winmart, pork products are priced between 108,720 - 165,522 VND/kg. Pork belly is being sold at 165,522 VND/kg, grade 1 ground pork is 118,322 VND/kg, pork shoulder is 123,120 VND/kg and pork ham is 149,520 VND/kg...

Talking to a reporter from Lao Dong Newspaper, a trader at Me Tri Thuong Market (Hanoi) said: “Some types of vegetables have increased slightly in price. The main reason is the erratic weather, rain and hot sun, so vegetables are not delicious and difficult to preserve. In addition, there will be a salary increase soon, so wholesalers are also preparing to increase prices. The import price from wholesale sources has increased, so traders at the market like me have to increase the price to make a profit.”

Prices of essential goods such as vegetables tend to increase slightly. Photo: Tuyet Lan

Worried about prices "racing" with wages

The salary reform on July 1 is expected by many civil servants, public employees and workers because salaries can increase by up to 30%, raising income and living standards. However, this joy is not complete because of the worry that commodity prices will also "follow" the increase in salaries.

Ms. Ngo Thi Le - teacher at Nui Doi Town Secondary School (Hai Phong) said that when she heard that teachers were in the group that received a higher salary increase compared to the average of other professions, she was very happy and hoped that she would be able to live on her salary to focus her time and mind on her job. However, along with the joy of receiving a salary increase, Ms. Le was also worried because in previous years, every time there was a salary increase, the price of goods increased accordingly.

“If the market price of goods increases too high in line with salaries, civil servants, public employees, retirees, social policy beneficiaries, meritorious people, especially the poor will face difficulties. Because even though salaries increase, they still cannot keep up with the increase in prices of goods. Salary increases are only truly meaningful when prices are kept relatively stable, especially for essential goods,” Ms. Le shared.

As a freelance worker, not eligible for a salary increase, Ms. Vu Thi Thuy (Hoang Quoc Viet, Hanoi) is extremely worried because she fears that her family's living expenses will increase when her salary increases.

“Recently, some essential goods in the market have started to increase in price. Those who have received a salary increase will not be mentioned, but freelancers or workers like me who do not have additional income will face difficulties because they have to compensate for the increased cost of goods. Therefore, I hope that state agencies will take drastic measures to check and prevent price storms,” said Ms. Thuy.

According to the Ministry of Finance's report, on average, in the first 5 months of this year, the CPI increased by 4.03% compared to the same period in 2023. Of this increase, 10/11 groups of goods and services had price indexes that increased, only 1 group had a price index that decreased (telecommunications group, down 1.46% compared to the same period in 2023). Notably, the education group increased by 8.7%; the medicine and medical services group increased by 6.87%; and the housing and construction materials group increased by 5.49%.

At the regular Government meeting last April, the Prime Minister requested to strengthen price and market management, have a suitable roadmap to adjust prices of State-managed goods and public services; "no sudden price increases, no price increases for many goods at the same time, no price increases at the time of salary increases".

Source: https://laodong.vn/thi-truong/nguoi-lao-dong-lo-ngai-gia-hang-hoa-chay-dua-voi-tien-luong-1355841.ldo