Raising incentives to retain employees

In the context of fierce competition in the labor market, many enterprises in Dong Nai province have chosen solutions to increase incentives to attract and retain skilled and dedicated workers.

Workers receive consultation at the Dong Nai Employment Service Center. Photo: NGUYEN HOA

Beyond simply increasing basic salaries, enterprises are expanding many accompanying benefits such as: productivity bonuses, salary increases, housing support, travel allowances, health insurance, nutritious meal allowances...

Improving many welfare policies

Shyang Ying Vietnam Co., Ltd., located in Dong Xoai 2 Industrial Park, Dong Xoai Ward, currently has over 6,000 employees. The enterprise has stable orders until the end of 2025 and is recruiting an additional 500 workers to expand production. To attract and retain skilled workers, the enterprise offers policies on seniority bonuses, production bonuses, increased meal allowances... along with many other incentives.

According to a representative of the Human Resources Department of Shyang Ying Vietnam Co., Ltd., in a bid to take care of employee welfare, the company continuously improves its remuneration policies such as: increasing meal allowances from 18,000 VND/meal to 22,000 VND/meal and increasing additional meal allowances for night shift workers; increasing basic salaries. Currently, the average income of employees is 7 million VND/month/person. In addition, the grassroots Trade Union regularly coordinates with the company to organize sports activities, provide financial support for training, and uniforms for workers to relax and improve their health for work.

Since the beginning of 2025, nearly 3,600 enterprises in Dong Nai province have reported a need to recruit over 88,000 workers. Currently, enterprises have not yet recruited enough workers to meet production needs for the remaining months of the year. The enterprises’ policy on increasing comprehensive incentive treatment is a solution to retain workers, and also a strategy to maintain production capacity, strengthen the workforce, and improve production efficiency.

Vietnam Meiwa Co., Ltd. (Bien Hoa 2 Industrial Park, Tran Bien Ward) arranges staff to participate in job transaction floors to recruit more unskilled and skilled workers. The enterprise offers many policies such as: a basic salary of nearly 6.7 million VND/person/month, a fixed allowance of 1.2 million VND/person/month, and a production allowance of 260,000 VND/person/month. In addition, employees get 2 Saturdays off per month to rest and take care of their families.

Le Huu Phuoc, Production Manager of Vietnam Meiwa Co., Ltd., said: To meet orders for Q3-2025, the enterprise is recruiting more unskilled workers who only need to have a high school graduation diploma and be between 18-35 years old. The enterprise will provide vocational training for workers to adapt to the job. "The company currently has about 650 employees with stable incomes. To recruit more workers, the enterprise participates in job fairs for direct interviews, but very few workers come to look for jobs," Phuoc shared.

Large enterprises operating in the leather and footwear and textile industries such as: Chang Shin Vietnam Company (Tan Trieu Ward), Elite Long Thanh Co., Ltd. (Long Thanh Commune) recruit workers with an average income of 9 million VND/person/month (including salary and allowances). In industrial parks: Minh Hung – South Korea, Minh Hung III, Chon Thanh I, enterprises are recruiting thousands of workers and arranging staff for direct interviews at the enterprise. Workers who meet the requirements are immediately assigned jobs and receive probationary pay and systematic vocational training.

According to enterprises, in the past time, applying flexible salary and bonus policies linked to work efficiency has created motivation, reduced job-quitting and job-hopping rates, and attracted high-quality human resources. In addition, enterprises focus on building a friendly working environment, creating opportunities for skill improvement training, and ensuring employee rights in accordance with legal regulations.

Resources fail to meet enterprises’ needs

Recent job transaction floors showed that dozens of enterprises inside and outside the province have registered to participate in with recruitment demand for thousands of manual workers. Enterprises are increasing policies and expanding the age range for recruiting workers, However, ironically, very few unskilled laborers applied for jobs. For example, at the 9th job transaction floor held on August 11, 18 businesses participated with a recruitment demand of nearly 3,500 workers, of which unskilled laborers accounted for over 95%, but only 8% were met at the fair.

Workers receive advice at the Dong Nai Employment Service Center. Photo: Nga Son

According to the Dong Nai Employment Service Center, after the provincial mergence, the unit has compiled data on labor supply and demand. Due to limited supply, businesses find it difficult to recruit workers. The common reality today is a lack of connection and common ground between the skills, experience, and desires of workers and the recruitment requirements and benefits offered by businesses. This leads to a situation where workers remain unemployed while many job vacancies exist, due to unsuitability in terms of age, skills, or desired work location.

Currently, unskilled laborers have many career options; instead of working as factory workers, they seek jobs with higher incomes, more freedom, and more time for their families, such as ride-hailing drivers, online sellers, or masons. On the other hand, the general mindset of workers when working at businesses is to prioritize immediate income to meet life's demands. Therefore, for the same profession, businesses that offer higher salaries, good benefits, and an ideal working environment will naturally attract and build a reputation to retain workers for a long time.

Le Thi Hai, residing in Long Binh ward, said: She has participated in recent job transaction floors, and what she cares about is the working environment, job positions, and salary that meets the current minimum living standard. "Although businesses are increasing incentives in labor recruitment, what workers expect are paying a salary commensurate with their skills and contributions while meeting current living needs. Many workers quit their jobs and return to their hometowns because the cost of living is not guaranteed, and rising market prices force them to struggle to make ends meet. Therefore, workers hope for policies on housing support, education, and convenient healthcare near industrial parks to continue their attachment," Hai shared.

The scarce and highly competitive labor market is causing difficulties for many businesses in recruiting labor. This forces business owners to first of all change their mindset regarding recruitment and labor usage. In addition, increasing incentives is a long-term investment for sustainable development. A reasonable welfare policy helps businesses maintain stable production, increase productivity, and build a reputable image in the labor market.

By: Nguyen Hoa

Translated by: Mai Nga-Thu Ha