Opposition last people to talk about workers - Singh

It is alarming to note that due to the draconian anti-worker laws that were either promulgated or enacted by the previous government, union density has decreased from 30 to 12 percent.

This was highlighted by the Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations Agni Deo Singh while speaking in Parliament, and says now, both workers and unions are busily re-organising to regain their membership and strength.

He says the Opposition should be the last people to talk about putting people first as they dished out the worst treatment of the workers.

Singh says as part of the holistic review, his Ministry is reviewing the National Minimum Wage and the 10 Sectoral Wages Regulations.

The Minister says this process will involve the sectoral Wages Councils already appointed, and the Ministry of Finance will reveal the outcome of the review of the minimum wage in the 2024 to 2025 budget announcement.

He adds it is worth noting that the formal wages have increased by 10 to 12 percent.

The Minister says in addressing the current needs of our labour market, the Coalition Government has supported the revitalisation of technical vocational training institutions around Fiji to provide short-term and medium technical training to meet industry needs.