37% of manufacturing industry employees must work outside the industry to supplement their income.
- 173
- Business
- 22:03 07/08/2023
DNHN - 60% of workers choose to reduce their living expenses in response to the current economic climate, 37% seek part-time employment outside the company, and 3% increase their shift hours when opportunities arise.

Recent data from Navigos Group, the leading provider of human resource recruitment services in Vietnam, revealed that more than fifty per cent of enterprises (enterprises) in each manufacturing industry experienced a decline in total revenue ranging from less than ten per cent to over forty per cent.
To overcome obstacles, a portion of businesses will choose to scale back production by closing factories, reducing production lines, reducing working hours, and cutting labour.
58% of manufacturing workers have had their salaries cut by 30-50%, 34% have had their total salaries cut by 10%, and 6% have had their salaries cut by 10-30%, according to statistics. Only 2% had a salary reduction of more than 50%. In addition, employees have their working hours reduced, their overtime pay reduced, and their benefits eliminated.
In addition to a decrease in salary, employees lose income from overtime sources and receive fewer benefits than usual.
60% of workers chose to reduce their living expenses, 37% sought outside part-time employment, and 3% increased their overtime hours when opportunities arose.
When income is reduced due to a decline in employment, reducing the cost of living is almost always the first course of action. During the outbreak of Covid-19 in 2021, a survey conducted by the Institute of Workers and Trade Unions yielded similar results, with 21% of respondents stating that they must eat more instant noodles, 48% of people having to reduce their daily meat consumption, 22% of workers having to switch from daily shopping to using food provided by relatives, and 15% of cases opting to eat fewer meals together.
In addition, 11% had to borrow money from family members, while 0.3% had to borrow money at high-interest rates, use black credit, or sell their social insurance books.
A positive indication from the Navigos Group survey is that employees have chosen to enhance their knowledge and abilities to maintain a competitive edge. The majority of employees choose to improve their production management, financial management, and technology application skills.
To stabilise their lives and maintain their jobs, 35% of employees desire no salary reduction, 28% a long-term contract, 28% the maintenance of allowances/benefits, and 9% the assurance of sufficient working hours.
The Navigos Group's Report on Human Resources in the Manufacturing Industry 2023 is based on a survey of more than 1,000 employees and 500 market-based companies in the Manufacturing sector, including the High-tech industry; Textile/Leather and Footwear industry; Pharmaceutical/Biotech industry; Agriculture/Forestry sector; Industry Products industry; Consumer Goods/Food Manufacturing industry; Construction material manufacturing industry; Automotive/Automation industry; and Aerospace/Defense industry.
According to the report on the current state of human resources in the manufacturing industry in 2023 published by the labour market research firm Navigos Group, "the majority of manufacturing companies are currently promoting the automation of their operations."
Accordingly, 52% of businesses in the high-tech industry automate all processes. In the automobile industry, 82 per cent of companies are applying for production. In labour-intensive industries such as textiles, leather, and footwear, 60% of businesses also apply to produce.
According to a Navigos Group expert, the majority of businesses are automating some or all processes. Therefore, workers must continuously update their knowledge and skills to operate and control machines. From there, new employees can continue to adapt and develop their work.
Nine industries reduce output and employment the most:
In the high-tech industry, 56 per cent of companies chose to downsize by reducing labour.
52% of businesses in the textile/leather/footwear industry choose to reduce working hours.
In the pharmaceutical/biotechnology industry, fifty per cent of companies opt for a solution that reduces working hours.
In the agriculture/forestry industry, 38 per cent of businesses reduced labour and 33 per cent reduced working hours.
In the industrial products sector, 46% of businesses reduced their work hours.
In the consumer goods/food manufacturing industry, 42% of companies are reducing working hours and 38% are laying off employees.
In the construction material manufacturing industry, 38 per cent of companies reduced work hours and 34 per cent reduced labour.
52% of businesses in the automation/automotive industry employ labour reduction solutions.
In other industries, 42% of businesses were forced to reduce labour to remain profitable.
Mai Anh (female)
Related news
- Prime Minister: Vietnam aims to become a regional logistics hub
- Vietnam upgraded to Secondary Emerging Market by FTSE Russell
- Hanoi’s economy grows 7.92% in first nine months of 2025, FDI surges nearly threefold
- Vietnam’s strong gdp growth fails to ease labor market distress
- US tariffs on Brazil propel Vietnam’s pangasius into global spotlight
- VietLeap AI Accelerator launches: A strategic springboard for Vietnam’s AI startups
- CICON expands strategic alliances: A new step forward in Vietnam–Korea business connectivity
- What must Vietnamese enterprises do to maintain their position in the global supply chain?
- Vietnam advances cybersecurity law to boost digital sovereignty and business resilience
- Vietnam embraces digital tools to modernize public administration
- Administrative procedures for establishing the national technology exchange reduced to one application set
- Vietnam hits highest FDI inflow since 2009, fuels industrial real estate boom
- Foreign investors expected to open 150,000 new securities accounts in the next 5 years
- Government’s plan to implement Law on Digital Technology Industry approved
- Vietnam launches “Private Economy Panorama Model” to foster public-private national development
- Shark Nguyễn Hòa Bình: Hanoi will become the capital of startup innovation.
- Deputy Prime Minister Lê Thành Long meets with Osaka Governor Yoshimura Hirofumi to promote Vietnam–Japan cooperation.
- The master sales secrets of luxury king Bernard Arnault that make the world spend
- White House: When politics and technology join forces to rewrite the global AI order
- Da Nang proposes semiconductor cooperation with Oregon (USA)
Đọc thêm Business
Vietnam upgraded to Secondary Emerging Market by FTSE Russell
FTSE Russell has officially upgraded Vietnam’s stock market to Secondary Emerging Market status, effective September 2026, marking a historic milestone for the country’s financial integration and global investment appeal.
US tariffs on Brazil propel Vietnam’s pangasius into global spotlight
Vietnam’s pangasius industry eyes $2 billion worth of exports in 2025 amid shifting US trade policy and a global supply realignment.
CICON expands strategic alliances: A new step forward in Vietnam–Korea business connectivity
On the afternoon of September 26, 2025, a strategic cooperation signing ceremony took place between CICON (Korea) and its key Vietnamese partners, including the Ho Chi Minh City Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (HUBA), Doanh nghiệp & Hội n
What must Vietnamese enterprises do to maintain their position in the global supply chain?
Mr. Lu Wei Chieh, General Manager of Cathay United Bank – Ho Chi Minh City Branch, shared with Business & Integration Magazine key strategies that can help Vietnamese enterprises not only stand firm but also go further amid shifting global dynamics.
Vietnam hits highest FDI inflow since 2009, fuels industrial real estate boom
This robust inflow is not only transforming the country’s industrial landscape but also signaling Vietnam’s rising role in the global supply chain amid shifting geopolitical dynamics.
Foreign investors expected to open 150,000 new securities accounts in the next 5 years
The Ministry of Finance has set an ambitious target to increase the number of securities trading accounts held by foreign investors in Vietnam to 200,000 by 2030—four times higher than the current figure.
Vietnam launches “Private Economy Panorama Model” to foster public-private national development
Billionaire Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao emphasizes that entrepreneurs’ responsibilities extend beyond profits to creating social value.
Deputy Prime Minister Lê Thành Long meets with Osaka Governor Yoshimura Hirofumi to promote Vietnam–Japan cooperation.
As part of his working visit to Japan and participation in the Vietnam National Day at EXPO 2025 Osaka, on September 8, Deputy Prime Minister Lê Thành Long held talks with Osaka Governor Yoshimura Hirofumi.
Larry Ellison’s lesson: Enduring success starts with fixing the market’s pain points
As of today, Larry Ellison has risen to become the world’s second-richest billionaire with a fortune of nearly $260 billion, surpassing familiar names such as Jeff Bezos and Warren Buffett.
The master sales secrets of luxury king Bernard Arnault that make the world spend
Billionaire Bernard Arnault, Chairman of LVMH (Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton), controls more than 70 of the world’s most prestigious luxury brands, from Louis Vuitton and Dior to Moët & Chandon and Bulgari.