15 January, 2026, 9:37 pm Central - 24°C Clouds

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
Family in Nakasi seeks justice over treatment at Nakasi Health Centre
A family in Nakasi is seeking justice after their family members were allegedly not accorded proper medical assistance after visiting the Nakasi Healt...
4 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
UTOF pays out $8.349 million in dividends to 108,000 account holders
Good news as Unit Trust of Fiji has today processed and paid out a total of $8.349 million in dividends to 108,000 account holders across the ...
3 hours ago

Drug and gang accused in Australia, Buadomo and Vatuwaqa remain in custody
Two men Cyprian Buadomo and Aisea Vatuwaqa who were charged by NSW Police after a drug raid in Sydney in October last year, remain in custody and ...
4 hours ago

PS Justice Kuruleca to be part time Acting PS for Women
Permanent Secretary for Justice, Selina Kuruleca will assume responsibility as Acting Permanent Secretary for Women, Children and Social Protection ...
4 hours ago

Pacific Polytech Chair rejects Maharaj’s call to halt funding
Following a call by Opposition MP Alvick Maharaj to halt future grants to Pacific Polytech, and allegations regarding staff ...
4 hours ago

PRF raises concerns over proposed Waste-to-Energy plant in Vuda
The Pacific Recycling Foundation is calling for transparency on how recycling will be prioritised under the proposed Waste-to-Energy project at Vuda ...
5 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 ...
13 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 ...
24 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 ...
24 days ago

TOP