$8 living wage must undergo review: Finance Minister

Finance Minister Esrom Immanuel says calls for an $8 hourly living wage must go through a formal review process before any decision is made.

“The minimum wage has to go through a process. There has to be a review, and if that is needed, we will have to undertake one,” Mr Immanuel said yesterday.

The Fiji Trades Union Congress called for the $8-an-hour living wage during its 51st Biennial Delegates Conference in Nadi earlier this month, arguing it was necessary to lift workers out of poverty.

The current minimum wage is $5 an hour.

Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka said yesterday there was “no reason” why Government could not consider and even approve the proposal without needing to immediately fund it, with any increase to be factored into the new budget.

Mr Immanuel acknowledged the Prime Minister’s position but said proper procedures still had to be followed.

“If you read the statement, it is good to have $8, but there is a process to reach that, and we have to consider all views as well,” he said.

The Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation and the Nadi Chamber of Commerce and Industry have strongly opposed the proposed increase, warning it would place additional pressure on businesses already facing economic challenges.