Business activity in Sigatoka has dropped by 50% to 95%

The Nadroga/Navosa Chamber of Commerce and Industry says business activity in Sigatoka has dropped by 50 to 95 percent.

President Doctor Ashank Naidu says some businesses such as car rental companies, beauty salons, and some other small and medium enterprises have temporarily closed down in the hope that things will even out for them to resume, which depends on how fast Fiji can reach herd immunity.

Doctor Naidu says some businesses have changed their activities to generate income, such as from a grocery store to bakery, general store to selling beverages and liquor and home based activities such as selling cakes and food but not all of them have been successful since not everyone can afford to buy.

To give an indication on how many people’s jobs have been affected, Dr Naidu says almost every business has put their staff on reduced hours and about 30 percent of the workers have been laid off or some were rehired on reduced rates so that the business could survive.

He says he is 100% in agreement with the no jab no job policy and businesses have to agree with this policy as well since that is the only way forward.

Doctor Naidu says unvaccinated people cannot be entertained in the workplace as they will pose a risk to both the employer and employees and their family members.

He says people who do not want to get vaccinated should not be allowed to enter any metropolitan areas because tourists will not want to go to a hotel or area where people are not fully vaccinated.

He further says people are not getting vaccinated because they trust the misinformation on vaccine being evil and having a magnet chip.

Doctor Naidu says it is sad that even medical professionals are spreading misinformation and people need to understand that believing in misinformation does not do any good to them or the country.

He says people who believe in misinformation are running a risk of dying and also losing their jobs as the positions of those people who are employed and are adamant that they will not get vaccinated will be taken up by others who are seeking employment.

The Chamber Commerce Presidemt says the Government should look into reducing the prices of essential food items in the upcoming budget such as rice, sugar, flour, potatoes, onions, milk, baby diapers and sanitary pads.

He says they should also reduce commercial and residential electricity rates, water and internet charges so that people can survive since many businesses are finding it very difficult to pay these bills.

He says in terms of VAT, the government cannot erase VAT completely but it should look at easing it on fuel charges.

Minister for Economy, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum will deliver the 2021/2022 National Budget address at 7.30pm tonight.