Consultations start on the proposal to increase the National Minimum Wage Rate from $2.68 per hour to between $3.45 to $3.65 per hour

Consultations have started on the proposal to increase the National Minimum Wage Rate from $2.68 per hour to between $3.45 to $3.65 per hour.

While starting the consultations at the Labasa Civic Centre today, Minister for Employment, Parveen Bala urges all Fijians to make use of this opportunity and make relevant submissions rather than barking from the sideline when consultations are closed.

Bala stresses that this is not a political exercise.

He says it is a process to ensure just and fair wages for all.

Bala says the consultations marks the delivery of the Government’s promise to put into place and honour a National Minimum Wage mechanism.

He says prior to the Bainimarama Government, there was no set procedure or process, or a guarantee of a periodic review, and implementation of a national wage.

Bala says the Bainimarama Government and now the FijiFirst Government have maintained their commitment to the Fijian people by establishing the first ever National Minimum Wage for Fiji.

He also says it is important for us to understand that the minimum wage needs timely review since the worldwide inflation has increased significantly including lack of raw materials, exorbitant freight costs and all other associated costs that have increased due to the pandemic. Bala says the current war in the Eastern European region will also have an impact on the global economy especially the oil and gas sectors, and Fiji in the middle of its recovery will again be affected.

The Employment Minister says as part of the consultation process, they will continue to take the views of the people, especially the employers, workers and investors and stakeholders, to ensure wider consultation is conducted throughout Fiji that will help consultant, Professor Gangopandhyay in the preparation of his review report.

Bala says this will ensure that all the views of the stakeholders are included and given due weight in the calculation of the National Minimum Wage.

The National Minimum Wage sets the minimum of payment for labour.

He says as we all know, based on supply and demand, and skill sets, many employers pay well above this minimum wage.