Decree aims to lessen gap between incomes

The draft decree is designed to regulate salaries for members of the boards of directors, director generals, directors and head accountants.

It also aims to allocate individuals' salaries with respect to the enterprises' performance and profitability. Top leaders' salaries, which range from 40 million VND (1,800 USD) to 100 million VND (4,600 USD), would be determined based on the enterprises' profitability.

A MOLISA study indicated the average salary of top officials in small-to-medium sized enterprises (SMEs) was between 45 million VND (2,100 USD) to 70 million VND (3,200 USD), while CEOs at larger enterprises were paid up to 120 million VND (5,600 USD).

MOLISA's draft decree aims to reduce the salary gap between bosses and other employees, as well as the average salary of the country's labour market.

The decree would also allow a salary bonus of 15-20 percent if an enterprise exceeds its projected financial goals as a growth incentive. On the other hand, enterprises which fail to achieve their targets would not be entitled to a bonus.

A recent survey by the ministry of 345 State-owned and partially State-owned SMEs showed the average salary for regular employees was 10 million VND (460 USD), while top officials earned 25 million VND (1,150 USD).

The gap is even higher in larger enterprises, with top CEO salaries ranging from 70 million VND (3,200 USD) to 155 million VND (7,200 USD). Notably, many enterprises that failed to produce positive financial performances, or in some cases, even made financial losses, still rewarded their top CEOs with salaries of 45 million VND (2,100 USD), some 14 times greater than an employee's salary.

VNA