Social welfare recipients receiving the additional 50 percent temporary fuel relief payment can expect further Government support after the assistance ends next month, with new social protection measures set to be rolled out under the 2026-2027 National Budget. Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection Sashi Kiran says the additional 50 percent fuel assistance will continue until July, after which the Government will roll out other protection mechanisms outlined in the 2026-2027 National Budget. Kiran says people can also look across the budget, as a number of measures have been introduced by different ministries to help reduce the cost of living. Insert: Kiran on budget 26th June
The Minister says social protection mechanisms are spread across various ministries, including housing and other sectors, and should be viewed as a whole rather than individually.
Kiran also confirms that social welfare assistance remains at the same level as announced in the previous budget.
When asked how the Government will support women experiencing domestic violence, Kiran says there is a strong, well-funded National Action Plan in place.
She says this is complemented by the National Gender-Based Violence Action Plan and the Women's Economic Empowerment and Family National Action Plan to ensure women receive both economic support and other forms of protection.
On children living on the streets and the growing drug problem, Kiran says work is ongoing, with Government investing in shelters where children will be rehabilitated before being reunited with their families or enrolled back into educational institutions.
Kiran says the budget is supportive and that there are coordinated efforts across different ministries to help reduce the cost of living.
Meanwhile, Ministry of Finance Permanent Secretary Shiri Goundar says the Government introduced the additional 50 percent fuel relief payment for all social welfare recipients for three months from May to July in response to rising fuel prices, at a cost of $24 million.
Goundar says the temporary assistance will end in July as announced in the 2026-2027 National Budget because the Government expects the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission to make major announcements on price reductions that will take effect from 1st July.
He says although the additional 50 percent payment will end, the 15 and 25 percent increases introduced in the previous budget, together with the additional 5 percent increase, will continue.
Goundar adds that if fuel prices increase significantly again, the Government will review the situation and consider providing further assistance.
The Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection has been allocated $211 million in the 2026/2027 National Budget to continue supporting more than 130,000 vulnerable Fijians, including children, older persons, people living with disabilities and pregnant women in rural areas.
https://www.fijivillage.com/indepth/2026-2027-national-budget-aca663/
@fijivillage.com Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection Sashi Kiran says the additional 50 percent fuel relief for social welfare recipients will continue until July, after which new social protection measures under the 2026-2027 National Budget will take effect. She also says the Government is investing in shelters to rehabilitate children living on the streets and help reunite them with their families or return them to school.
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