Mid-Shift Meal Allowance for Workers in Vietnam: Overview and Key Takeaways

Strategic Insights -

In a recent reflection, Ms. Nguyen Thi Luyen (Hanoi) highlighted the significance of Article 34 in Decree No. 44/2025/ND-CP, which outlines the guidelines for mid-shift meal allowances for workers in Vietnam. The decree stipulates that these allowances should be in accordance with the collective labor agreement or company rules, as per the Labor Code. This framework builds upon the provisions of Circular No. 22/2008/TT-BLDTBXH, which introduced the mid-shift meal allowance system for state-owned enterprises. However, the implementation of this system is still limited, with a maximum allowance of 730,000 VND per person per month.

Key Takeaways:

  • Article 34 of Decree No. 44/2025/ND-CP specifies the guidelines for mid-shift meal allowances for workers, executives, council members, and controllers in state-owned enterprises.
  • The collective labor agreement or company rules are key in determining the mid-shift meal allowance, as stipulated in the Labor Code.
  • The mid-shift meal allowance system was introduced by Circular No. 22/2008/TT-BLDTBXH, dated October 15, 2008, for state-owned enterprises.
  • The maximum allowance for mid-shift meals is 730,000 VND per person per month, as specified in the circular.
  • The implementation of mid-shift meals for workers, executives, council members, and controllers in state-owned enterprises is governed by Decree No. 44/2025/ND-CP, dated February 3, 2025.
  • The Ministry of Home Affairs is responsible for enforcing the regulations on labor management, salaries, remuneration, and bonuses in state-owned enterprises.

Statistics:

  • The maximum mid-shift meal allowance is 730,000 VND per person per month as specified in Circular No. 22/2008/TT-BLDTBXH.
  • The collective labor agreement or company rules determine the mid-shift meal allowance for workers in state-owned enterprises.
  • The Labor Code outlines the framework for mid-shift meal allowances for workers, executives, council members, and controllers in state-owned enterprises.
  • Decree No. 44/2025/ND-CP is the latest government regulation on labor management, salaries, remuneration, and bonuses in state-owned enterprises.

Sources:

  • Decree No. 44/2025/ND-CP, dated February 3, 2025, Government regulations on labor management, salaries, remuneration, and bonuses in state-owned enterprises.
  • Circular No. 22/2008/TT-BLDTBXH, dated October 15, 2008, Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs, guiding the implementation of mid-shift meals in state-owned enterprises.
  • Labor Code, stipulating the framework for mid-shift meal allowances for workers, executives, council members, and controllers in state-owned enterprises.