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

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.