Chaudhry says the Economy Minister has no right to deny social protection payments while Raj says it is reckless to insinuate that all other social security measures are put to a halt

Fiji Labour Party Leader Mahendra Chaudhry says the Economy Minister has no right to deny social protection payments to citizens who choose not to vaccinate however Fiji Human Rights and Anti Discrimination Director, Ashwin Raj says it is reckless to insinuate that all other social security measures are put to a halt until people get vaccinated.

Chaudhry says Sayed-Khaiyum must stop playing God with people who need State assistance to survive.

He says the Government has already cost lives by not taking timely lockdown action to prevent the spread of the virus despite repeated calls by community leaders, opposition political parties and leading business executives.

Chaudhry says the provision of basic human needs in times of national emergency is the duty and responsibility of the Government – that is where the buck stops. He says citizens exercising their constitutional rights must not be denied humanitarian assistance.

However Raj stresses the requirement is very specifically for the unemployment benefit.

Raj says the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated inequality and pushed the poor, unemployed and those with no access to social mobility to the fringes of our society. He says it has also put enormous pressure on our welfare and social security schemes.

The Human Rights Commission Director says there is a pressing need to understand and appreciate that any call or initiative by the State for people to opt for vaccination is a positive and a cost-effective public health intervention.

Raj says this requirement that has attracted criticism by the Fiji Labour Party, announced by the Attorney General and Minister for Economy, pertains to unemployment allowance for Fijians in the formal and informal sectors who have been affected by the pandemic.

He says it is premised on the understanding that those who are presently unemployed will gradually join the workforce as our economy recovers but this can only happen if people choose to get vaccinated and employers and businesses create safe working environment in consonance with their obligations under the Health and Safety (General Workplace Conditions) (Amendment) Regulations 2021.

Raj reiterates that amendments to the Health and Safety (Amendment) Regulations 2021 is lawful as the individual’s consent to get vaccinated has not been taken away however there are consequences as the workplace requires people to be vaccinated for the health and safety of everyone.

However he is concerned about the misleading comments by people like SODELPA MP Lynda Tabuya that if people do not want to get vaccinated, they may not be allowed to vote.

Raj says some of the people are playing with people’s lives as thousands are testing positive of COVID-19 everyday and the bodies are piling up in the mortuary.

Raj says the more people are misled and the more people misquote the law, public confidence is shattered.

Meanwhile $200 million has been allocated for unemployment support in the 2021/2022 National Budget. Minister for Economy, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum has announced that those in the formal sector without sufficient General Account balance in their FNPF and those affected in the informal sector will now be covered under this new initiative where affected Fijians will be eligible for $120 per month for the next 6 months directly paid through Government.

The first payment of $360 will be made in August to cater for the three months ending till October 2021.

This assistance will only be provided to eligible Fijians who have received their first dose of vaccination before the first week of August.

Sayed-Khaiyum announced that Government will continue with the support provided through social welfare to 137,987 Fijians with a total funding of $145.5 million. This includes $55.3 million allocated for the Social Pension Scheme, which will support 44,489 Fijians above the age of 65 with a monthly payment of $100.

$36 million is allocated for the Poverty Benefit Scheme, which provides income support to the poor and vulnerable and consists of the monthly cash transfer support ranging from $35 to $127 and a $50 food voucher for 23,817 Fijians.

The $90 monthly Disability Allowance will also continue with an allocation of $10.8 million, benefiting 9,142 Fijians. A further $11.3 million is allocated under the Child Protection Allowance to support vulnerable children.

The Bus Fare Support for elderly and disabled persons will continue with a monthly top up of $10 with a funding allocation of $5 million, benefitting 47,532 Fijians. A further $1 million is allocated for the Food Voucher Programme for rural pregnant mothers.