10 January, 2026, 8:58 pm Central - 24°C Rain

National minimum wage rate was not something the Govt dreamt under a mango tree - Usamate

National minimum wage rate was not something the Govt dreamt under a mango tree - Usamate

By Dhanjay Deo
12/07/2017

The exercise to develop the national minimum wage rate was not something that the government just dreamt of under the mango tree.

Minister for Employment, Jone Usamate made the bold statement in Parliament while highlighting that they used 81 enumerators who collected data on how much people are earning and spending in the country.

He says the national minimum wage increase from $2.32 to $2.68 per hour is for the unskilled people in the country.

He says many more workers in Fiji earn much more than $2.68 per hour.

He says apart from this, the government is giving targeted assistance to the marginalised.

Usamate says youth unemployment is around 18% and they are hoping that government through its programs and development of micro and small businesses will give more opportunities to the youth to get employed.

FEATURE NEWS
We in the village are not aware of the increase in electricity tariff, this is a concern - Naisausau villager
Concerns have been raised over the increase in electricity tariff, with villagers of Namara in Tailevu saying the decision is financially driven and w...
4 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
FNPF to hold Annual Members Forum next month in Suva, Nadi and Labasa
The Fiji National Provident Fund will be holding its Annual Members Forum next month in Suva, Nadi and Labasa, and they are urging members to attend, ...
3 hours ago

Flood-hit Naria residents call for urgent survey; council says work underway
Concerned residents of Naria in Rakiraki are calling for an urgent survey to address flooding issues that occur during heavy rain due to blocked ...
4 hours ago

Suva Magistrates Court grants bail to two men charged in alleged tender scam
Two men who were charged in relation to an alleged tender scam have been granted bail by the Suva Magistrates Court.Ripon Baral is charged by the ...
4 hours ago

X faces possible UK ban after AI tool Grok creates fake sexual images of females
The UK government has warned that Elon Musk’s social media platform X could be blocked if it doesn't follow online safety rules.This comes after ...
6 hours ago

WAF carrying out preparatory works to fix sewage spill in Laucala Beach
The ongoing sewage spill from the manhole at the back entrance of a supermarket at Laucala Beach has been caused by a severe collapse of the ...
8 hours ago



Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Electricity tariff increase for users consuming more than 100 units
There is an increase in the electricity tariff rate for consumers using more than 100 units from 1 January next year.Fijian Competition and Consumer ...
8 days ago

Fiji needs to act on human trafficking indicators associated with Grace Road Group
The United States remains deeply concerned about indicators of trans-national organised crime and human trafficking in Fiji associated with the Grace ...
19 days ago

Cheap seed oils are not good for our health - O'Neill
With over 80 percent of deaths in Fiji caused by cardiovascular disease based on the 2011 report, naturopath and nutritionist Barbara O’Neill is ...
19 days ago

TOP