Viet Nam News Agency and Nong thon Ngay nay (Countryside Today) newspaper collected public opinions on issues of concern, including increasing the minimum wage, price hikes and personal income tax levels.

Deputy Nguyen Van Quynh, vice director of the Party Central Committee’s Organisation Commission

The fact is that salary increases don’t always match inflation. So, the role of the Government in controlling price is very important. It is necessary to keep a close eye on every stage from product manufacture to circulation to control prices.

Recently, prices of food products have been escalating. Many NA deputies say that this has just brought profit to traders and go-betweens while farmers are still not selling their products for much money. Therefore, it is necessary to promote the State’s role in controlling prices in intermediary stages.

As to whether increasing the minimum wage would reduce foreign investment, because Viet Nam’s cheap labour is seen as an advantage, I think that to the contrary increasing wages for employees is one of the country’s development targets so we should boost our competitive edge via workers’ skills instead. To do this, we have to invest further in vocational training and this needs the participation of businesses.

Deputy Dang Van Khanh, Ha Noi

First of all, the Government should have detailed knowledge of people’s income before setting rates of personal income tax.

The fact is that at present most people who pay personal income tax are themselves paid via the State Budget. The government has not been able to control the income of the majority of the population who are paid in cash.

Tran Duc Khang, director of Linh Cuong Ltd Company, HCM City

I think the draft law on personal income tax has many controversial points. Firstly, the tax threshold of VND4-5 million a month is too low. In cities, the amount of money is just enough for daily life. Also, in the context of price escalation, people do not have enough left over for savings.

At the same time, the rate of 25 per cent for income from securities and real estate is also too high. For example, if I make a profit of VND100 million from securities trading, I have to pay VND25 million in income tax. But if I lose the money from subsequent trading, how will the Government compensate for it?

Vi Van Dien from Ha Noi

At present, my income is around VND3.5 million a month including overtime while I have to spend on a lot of items. I think the Government should change the tax threshold to start at VND10 million monthly income instead of VND4 million as in the draft law.

Le Quoc Khanh, director of Nam Ha Viet Stock Company, HCM City

In my opinion, any business bringing profits and incomes must pay tax. But first of all tax rates have to be fair. We should not think that only people with a high income should have to pay: Low-income earners should just pay less than high-income earners.

Tax payers will create a large financial source for the State Budget to improve living standards for remote and mountainous areas.

The most important thing is how to pinpoint people’s real income to ensure transparency and fairness.

For example, I will pay income tax when I have an income. But if I am unemployed will the State offer any social welfare? And if so, what?

Nguy Thanh Thang, lawyer from Ha Noi

I think the tax threshold should be VND8 million.

In order to avoid tax evasion, tax payments should be publicised.

The State should also examine cases where a person gets rich very suddenly and cannot prove their financial status for tax collection.

Nguyen Thi Tam, Thanh Xuan District, Ha Noi

I want the Government to create policies to increase the minimum wage and control inflation. I agree with deputy Nguyen Ba Thanh that price hikes seriously affect people’s lives. I really want the Government to set up policies to protect retired people like me.

Nguyen Thai Can, Long Bien District, Ha Noi

I wonder if there will be any measures taken to deal with traffic jams and road accidents. I live on a busy street, Ngo Gia Tu, and everyday I see these things. I agree with deputy Nguyen Ngoc Tung. He blamed poor infrastructure on the lack of a detailed urban development plan.

I want the Government to map out a master plan on infrastructure construction to limit traffic jams and road accidents.

Doan Duong, Da Lat City, Lam Dong Province

As a Vietnamese citizen, I am proud of the country’s position in the world. I agree with the Government’s report on implementing 2007’s socio-economic targets and plans for 2008. However, to make sure the people have enough to live stable lives, especially farmers and those on a State salary, the Government, National Assembly and ministries should introduce effective measures to curb price hikes of essential products, especially in year-end months. I know the minimum salary of employees will be increased but this won’t end people’s hardship as long as prices continue to escalate.

Ngo Duc Lac, Don Duong District, Lam Dong Province

Farmers depend on agricultural production and always have to face the risks of natural calamities and crop failure but one of their biggest worries is having no buyers at harvest time. I want the Government to pay more attention to the matter of selling produce because the number of people in Viet Nam who live off farming is still very high and they will face many difficulties if they have to take on the burden by themselves.

Nguyen Van Du, People’s Committee chairman of Pac Nam District, Bac Kan Province

For the past few years, the State has invested in building infrastructure–electrical grid, roads, schools, clinics, small-scale irrigation and clean water facilities–which have done a lot to improve people’s lives in our remote district of Pac Nam.

However, the State needs to increase capital for hunger eradication and poverty reduction to help people develop production. They should also boost the quality of teachers in remote and mountainous areas because the quality of teaching in mountainous areas lags far behind the delta regions.

Creating jobs is also a concern in mountainous areas because there are few industrial production institutions.

In order to increase locals’ income, the State should create policies on investing in small-scale agricultural product processing to help local farmers increase the added-value of their products.

Nguyen Van Tam, Chau Thanh District, Hau Giang Province

The National Assembly should closely monitor implementation of projects in industrial zones and residential areas because many have still not been carried out. This has caused difficulties for the local people.

Source: VNEconomy.