About 6,000 labourers from 70 enterprises are still waiting to get paid 2014's wages, which are approximately 59.7 billion VND (2.8 million USD), the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs revealed.

The figure was revealed after the ministry's latest survey on the Lunar New Year's salaries and bonuses. The survey was conducted among more than 2.5 million labourers from nearly 13,190 enterprises in 63 cities and provinces across the country.

The survey pointed out that the number of enterprises, employees and the amount of unpaid wages had actually reduced, compared with the previous year. However, the number of localities where payment of wages is still pending rose from 22 to 31 cities and provinces.

About 2,600 enterprises, accounting for 20 percent of the total surveyed, will not award Tet bonuses to their 675,000 employees. Another 420 enterprises said they haven't decided whether they will award bonuses to their labourers.

Reports from localities showed that most of the enterprises, which had failed to pay salaries or Tet bonuses to their employees are in trouble or have halted their businesses. Many are also undergoing procedures for dissolution.

To resolve the situation, the ministry is finalising the content of the Labour Code and its regulations regarding minimum wages, payroll and sanctions to be imposed for violation of wage payment rules.

In particular, the ministry, in collaboration with the relevant ministries and sectors, will direct enterprises to implement the Law on Bankruptcy, which took effect on January 1. The law stipulates the process for resolving issues of unpaid wages, social insurance and imparting other benefits to labourers.

Data from the ministry showed that last year's average monthly wage was 5.11 million VND (240 USD) per head and the average monthly income was 5.4 million VND (253 USD), an increase of 6 percent, compared with the year ago.

As usual, this number surges by about 13 to 15 percent annually. In terms of accounting for the changes in prices, the real income of labourers has not improved.-VNA