HANOI, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- Vietnamese government will raise retirees' payments and monthly allowances for social welfare beneficiaries by 15 percent as of next month in a move to help them deal with rising inflation, Vietnam News Agency reported here Monday.

    The increase was intended to improve the living conditions of retirees and social welfare beneficiaries, and was following the roadmap for salary reform, the agency quoted Huynh Thi Nhan, Deputy Minister of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs, as saying.

    Further pay increase would be considered if the economic situation does not improve, she said.

    According to the General Statistics Office, inflation in the first eight-months of the year went up 22.14 percent year-on-year.

    Nhan said that the ministry was working out policies in order to provide better support for State employees, retirees, low-income earners and people in disaster-affected areas.