VIETNAMESE AND CHINESE LABOUR REGIMES:ON THE ROAD TO DIVERGE(5)

　　Greater union autonomy from the Vietnamese Communist Party is reflected in Vietnamesemedia reports that show the VGCL holding different positions from the government：for example，？The VGCL is negotiating to put pressure on the government andon joint ventures with foreign investment ì；？Nguyen Van Tu ，the VGCL chair ，called the current [minimum wage]rate of US$35unfairì；[97]and the Lao dong[Labour]newspaper reported that Nguyen Van Tu's demand ？could be rebuffed by thegovernment because of its concern for the country's competitiveness ì。[98]Thiskind of reporting is tantamount to admitting that the state's interest does notcoincide with workers'interests，and that these might even sometimes be in conflict.In China the ACFTU similarly wrestled with the government over workers'wages ，arguing for wage indexation at a time of rapid inflation.[99]But these failed attemptswere carried out behind the scenes.Deprived of publicity ，the ACFTU finds itmore difficult to improve its image among workers.It is not without reason thatLao dong is today one of Vietnam's most popular newspapers，whereas China's Workers'Daily is not sold at newstands because few people are interested in buying it.