Will employees who stop working because of social distancing get paid in Vietnam?

Will employees who stop working because of social distancing get paid in Vietnam? (Illustration)

According to Clause 3, Article 99 of Vietnam's Labor Code 2019, In case the suspension is caused by an electricity or water supply issue that is not at the employer’s fault, or by a natural disaster, fire, major epidemic, hostility, relocation requested by a competent authority, or for economic reasons, both parties shall negotiate the salary as follows:

- If the suspension does not exceed 14 working days, the salary shall not fall below the statutory minimum wages;

- If the suspension is longer than 14 working days, the salary shall be negotiated by both parties and the salary for the first 14 days must not fall below the statutory minimum wages.

Thus, during the time of implementing social distancing at the request of a competent state agency, if the employee is unable to go to work, he/she will be paid a salary for stopping from working due to a dangerous epidemic. Therefore, the salary for termination of work shall be agreed upon by the employee and the employer based on the provisions of Clause 3, Article 99 of Vietnam Labor Code 2019.

Currently, the regional minimum wage applied to employees working in enterprises is implemented in accordance with Vietnam's Decree 90/2019/ND-CP, specifically:

- For enterprises operating in the area of region I, it is 4,420,000 VND/month;

- For enterprises operating in the area of Region II, it is 3,920,000 VND/month.

- For enterprises operating in the area of Region III, it is 3,430,000 VND/month.

- For enterprises operating in the area of Region IV, it is 3,070,000 VND/month.

Bao Ngoc

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