Labour slams PM’s address, says no clear relief for public

The Fiji Labour Party has strongly criticised Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka’s national address, describing it as “election-year optics” that fail to deliver meaningful relief to struggling Fijians.

In a statement, party leader Mahendra Chaudhry said the address lacked substance and offered “vague policies and hollow assurances” amid rising cost-of-living pressures.

The party took aim at the proposed 20 per cent pay cut for Ministers, Assistant Ministers and Members of Parliament, calling it ineffective without parliamentary approval.

“Announcing a 20% pay cut for Ministers, Assistant Ministers and Members of Parliament, subject to parliamentary approval, is little more than theatrical posturing,” Mr Chaudhry said.

He said the measure “remains nothing more than a promise on paper” and criticised the timing, noting it followed earlier salary increases.

Labour also questioned Government plans to subsidise private sector bus companies and Energy Fiji Limited, arguing that support should instead go directly to the public.

“Provide direct relief to bus operators” is ambiguous and does not guarantee that support gets to the people,” Mr Chaudhry said.

He added that subsidising EFL would amount to “corporate welfare for overseas investors” while ordinary Fijians were being asked to cut costs.

The party opposed any move to reduce Fiji National Provident Fund contributions, warning it would harm workers’ retirement savings.

“The government cannot reduce the superannuation rate as it would negatively impact the savings that workers need for their retirement,” he said.

Mr Chaudhry also called for increased support for vulnerable groups and a rise in the minimum wage, saying incomes had not kept pace with the rising cost of living.

“Wages must rise in line with inflation otherwise poverty increases,” he said.

The statement further criticised Government spending controls, including restrictions on official vehicle use, questioning why such measures were introduced late in the term.

Mr Chaudhry said broader economic challenges — including issues in agriculture, land use and energy — reflected policy failures rather than external pressures.

“These are not distant global problems — they are a direct result of policy neglect under this administration,” he said.

Mr Chaudhry said there was no clear, immediate relief for the public, including on fuel taxes, VAT on essential goods and price controls.

He said Fijians deserved “honest accountability and practical relief” rather than symbolic measures.