Business activity in Sigatoka is down but businesses are hopeful that things will pick up in August when an increase in minimum wage and civil servant’s salary comes into effect.
This has been confirmed by Nadroga Navosa Chamber of Commerce & Industry President Doctor Suresh Naidu who says businesses are looking at the expenses right now and are not seeing much of a difference but could see an increase in expenses in August, once the new financial year starts.
He says no one can be blamed for the increase in expenses as just like Fiji, the cost of living has increased throughout the world.
In an interview with fijivillage News, Dr Naidu says they believe the increase in wages and salaries could affect business activity as people would have more money to spend.
He further says Sigatoka was considered the salad bowl of Fiji but more needs to be done for the agriculture sector as he believes not much assistance is being provided
Dr Naidu adds the Ministry of Agriculture should follow up on the assistance that has been provided to see if it is really being used for the purpose it was given.
Effective from 1st August 2024, the national minimum wage will be increased to $4.50 an hour with a further increase to $5.00 an hour effective from 1st April 2025.
From 1st August 2024, all the salary based civil servants will receive a pay rise of around 7 percent to 10 percent while the wage earners will get an increment ranging from 10 percent up to 20 percent.
