If National Minimum Wage does not change, there will be serious poverty issues - Dr Partha Gangopadhyay

Ministry of Employment consultant and Western Sydney University Professor, Dr Partha Gangopadhyay says if the National Minimum Wage does not increase, there will be more serious poverty issues for Fiji.

Dr Gangopadhyay has been working with the Ministry of Employment in Reviewing the National Minimum Wage since 2017.

While officiating at the Nausori National Minimum Wage Public Consultation, Dr Gangopadhyay says Fiji is currently facing a spike in poverty and since 2020, it has increased to 29.9 percent.

He is recommending to the Government to increase the National Minimum Wage to between $3.45 to $3.65 to give more purchasing power to all Fijians since the prices of goods are increasing.

He says changes should be done now to protect the vulnerable workers and their families.

The Australian economist says around 176,000 Fijians living in rural areas are living below the poverty line due to the pandemic.