The Fiji Trades Union Congress is targeting 100,000 signatures in three months in support of its campaign for an $8-an-hour National Living Wage in Fiji.
FTUC Assistant National Secretary Jotika Sharma says the union movement is calling on the Government to establish a National Living Wage policy, which Fiji currently does not have.
Speaking to fijivillage News at Terry Walk in Suva today, Sharma says the campaign follows a decision made by FTUC delegates and members at the organisation’s annual conference in Nadi in May.
She says the proposed $8 hourly rate was determined based on the union’s surveys, data and views gathered from its members.
Sharma says FTUC has launched a three-month public campaign to gather signatures from workers and members of the public, with the aim of presenting the petition to the Government around the end of October to coincide with the World Day for Decent Work.
She says the campaign aims to address rising living costs and stagnant wages while establishing clear benchmarks for determining fair wages in Fiji.
Sharma says the campaign has been taken to the public to raise awareness of the need for a National Living Wage and build broad public support.
She adds that members of the public have already shown strong support at campaign stations in Suva, Nadi and Lautoka.
Sharma says the campaign also aims to address the issue of workers leaving Fiji in search of better wages overseas.
FTUC says members of the public who cannot visit the campaign stations can also support the initiative through its online platforms.
Sharma says the union is hopeful of reaching its target of 100,000 signatures before submitting its call to the Government.
