The Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission (FCCC) is going to have the important task to ensure that the Zero Rated initiatives are truly passed onto consumers.

This was the statement made by SODELPA Member of Parliament, Aseri Radrodro, while delivering his response to the Revised 2021-2022 National Budget announcement on Friday.

He was responding to the announcement of removal of VAT on 21 essential items from April 1.

“What now seems to be the current norm is that price policy initiative announcements are made in this August House, but prices of foodstuffs on the shops and supermarket shelves still remain, so nothing has been passed onto consumers,” he said.

“The (FCCC) needs to ensure that the Zero Rated initiates are truly passed onto consumers.”

He also thanked the Government for listening to the Opposition as a number of initiatives announced by the Government in the Revised Budget had been raised by the Opposition through parliamentary debates.

“For example, since 2016, the SODELPA Party and I have been advocating in this house for an increase in minimum wage to $4 per hour.

“That is well established in our Hansard report. The gradual implementation this year is welcome on behalf of our people. To support such an increase, businesses must and should be assisted with the necessary policies and environment conducive for economic and employment generation and participation. And so I will continue to be the devil’s advocate.”

He said while they were appreciative of the generosity of the increase of the national minimum wage, there remained areas which the Government needed to focus on to be able to assist business and employers meet the increased working capital.

“For instance improve the ease of doing business and provide better import reliefs for raw materials and equipments.”