Every employer in the country would increase the wages of their employees should there be an increase in productivity.

That was the word from Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation CEO Nesbitt Hazelman.

Mr Hazelman also said there was a need to set up a productivity commission in Fiji.

The federation also feels that it’s important the employer has the opportunity to address some of the issues on national minimum wage.

Mr Hazelman said the commission would look into areas where productivity had been improved.

He said: “We understand that in any economy that needs to grow, the level of productivity need to improve so this needs to go hand in hand.

“Most developed economy treat productivity very seriously. It’s time in Fiji that we have a productivity commission.

“Make it a multi-stakeholders approach in all parties, not only the employers and the trade unions to have the right to talk about productivity.

“Government definitely has to be the leader.

“Any increase in wages will come from employers and fundamental issues needs to be addressed.

“This is to allow employers to form an informed view if any rise should occur.

“We are going to make submissions when the time comes, and our submissions needs to be based on facts and the clear fundamentals that surrounds any increase in minimum wages.

“One of the key issues that we want to see being discussed more openly is productivity and how we can link this with any pay increase in this country.”

National Budget 2017 -2018

The federation is also urging its members to take an active part in making submissions towards the National Budget 2017-2018.

“One of the issues is for employers to take an active part in making submissions towards the national budget,” he said.

“There are various issues in terms of policy; in terms of the taxes levied upon the business that I think the people on the ground, which are the employers, should address.

“This gives the employers opportunity to give us feedback on the areas which they think we should take to governments, informed of our submissions as the Fiji Commerce Employers Federation.”

Mr Hazelman added this area should be dealt with before the end of the submission on May 16.