4 February, 2026, 5:22 am Central - 24°C Clouds

Bala questions the coalition government on the increase of minimum wage rate as promised

Bala questions the coalition government on the increase of minimum wage rate as promised

By Krishneel Nair
13/02/2023
Opposition and FijiFirst MP Praveen Bala

Opposition Member of Parliament, Parveen Bala today attacked the Minister for Finance Professor Biman Prasad and the coalition government in parliament for allegedly failing to uphold their pre-election promise of increasing the minimum wage rate to $5 to $6 an hour.

Bala says he promised $4 an hour, which came into effect on the 1st of January this year.

He says the workers are asking him about the increase in minimum wage rate promised by the coalition government.

Bala also says he has told the Fijians to ask the Minister for Finance about the promises made during their election campaign.

He further says the former Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama continues to inspire and motivate him, as he enters his third term in parliament.

Bala adds he has thick skin and he will not resign.

The FijiFirst MP also says he will be contesting the town council elections.

He says the Coalition Government is suddenly quiet on inflation and their promise to bring down the prices of goods and services.

Click here for the full Parliament Coverage

FEATURE NEWS
PM to assess SG options and JSC decisions before deciding on appeal - Tabuya
Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka will now assess the presentation and options given by Solicitor General, Ropate Green, and also await the Judicial Ser...
13 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
126 serious sexual offence cases filed in High Court last year, women and children most affected
Serious sexual offences continues to be a concern as 126 cases involving 252 counts of serious sexual offences were filed in the High Court last ...
11 hours ago

Dr Alpana balances motherhood and academia to earn doctorate
Balancing motherhood, sacrifice, and years of hard work, Dr Reema Alpana has achieved a major milestone for herself and her family, graduating with a ...
11 hours ago

Reinstate Malimali as FICAC Commissioner and get this car back on the road - Waqanika
Reinstate Barbara Malimali as FICAC Commissioner and let's get this car back on the road.That is the message from Malimali's counsel, Tanya Waqanika ...
12 hours ago

UniFiji to host Tertiary Teaching Symposium to boost academic excellence
The University of Fiji is set to host a Tertiary Teaching Symposium for its academic staff as part of its continued efforts to improve the quality of ...
12 hours ago

Finance Minister says errors and verification problems slow $200 Back to School Grant
Delays in the $200 Back to School Grant have largely been caused by verification issues, including incorrect telephone numbers, errors in parents’ ...
12 hours ago



Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Ailava Samuels to represent Fiji in Miss Pacific Pageant
Miss Fiji 2025 first runner-up and Miss Nasinu, Ailava Samuels, has been officially appointed as Fiji’s representative to next month's Miss ...
13 days ago

Referendum Bill risks undermining democracy - Dialogue Fiji
The National Referendum Bill risks undermining democracy by criminalising political expression, enabling state overreach and excluding young people ...
15 days ago

Shocking move : FNU reassigned under PM
The Fiji National University is being reassigned under the Prime Minister's Office Ministerial Portfolio via the Ministry of Strategic Planning, ...
15 days ago

TOP