Minimum wage rise uncertain

Whether Fiji's minimum wage will rise amid a worsening fuel crisis is still anyone's guess – with Finance Minister Esrom Immanuel repeatedly pointing to a formal review process, and FCCC chief executive Senikavika Jiuta saying it "may or may not" happen.

Asked whether Government would consider lifting the $5 hourly minimum wage to help workers cope with rising electricity bills and bus fares, Mr Immanuel gave the same answer he has given before.

"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," he said.

Ms Jiuta, standing alongside him, was more candid: "There's a probability that there's a might or might not."

The Fiji Trades Union Congress has been pushing for an $8 hourly living wage since its Biennial Delegates Conference in Nadi earlier this month, arguing workers on the current $5 rate are already stretched thin.

But with the Government fully absorbing Monday's 22.5 per cent bus fare increase for all 350,000 daily commuters, and shielding more than 57,000 low-income electricity customers from the new 5.91 cents per kilowatt hour surcharge, the argument for an immediate wage rise may be harder to make.

The Government's support measures specifically target those earning below $30,000 annually - the group most likely to include minimum wage workers - meaning the immediate cost-of-living blow has, for now, been cushioned without touching the wage floor.

Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka last week said there was "no reason" Government could not consider the $8 proposal, but any increase would still need to be built into the new budget, due June 26.