5% Boost for Pensioners, Welfare

All social welfare recipients and government pensioners will receive a five per cent increase in their monthly allowances following Finance Minister Biman Prasad's Budget address on Friday.

This increase comes on top of the across-the-board 15 per cent increase provided in the past budget, bringing significant relief to Fiji's most vulnerable groups.

"All social welfare recipients and government pensioners will receive a 5 per cent increase in their monthly allowances," Mr Prasad said.

"This is in addition to the across-the-board 15 per cent increase we provided in the past budget," Mr Prasad said.

Funding of $220 million has been provided for social welfare programmes, representing an increase of $10m from the previous allocation.

Mr Prasad stressed Government's commitment to protecting citizens from rising costs of living.

"For workers, consumers and beneficiaries, we have worked hard to ensure that they are protected from rising costs," he said.

The five per cent increase is part of Government's comprehensive cost-of living package which totaled over $800 million,

The Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection, which will oversee the implementation of the five per cent increase, have been allocated $207.9m.

This is compared to the $199.5m allocated last year.

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