Three‑year COLA deal ends deadlock for Ba Town Council workers

Good news for Ba Town Council workers.

They will receive a 12.5 per cent wage increase following a Government‑brokered cost of living adjustment (COLA) agreement.

A long‑standing deadlock between the Ba Town Council and the National Union of Workers was resolved after intervention by Minister for Employment, Productivity and Workplace Relations Agni Deo Singh, delivering relief to municipal workers facing rising living costs.

Mr Singh said the outcome demonstrated the power of dialogue in resolving industrial disputes without disruption.

“This agreement reflects a balanced approach that takes into account both the welfare of workers and the operational capacity of the council,” he said.

“Constructive engagement remains key to maintaining industrial harmony in Fiji.”

The agreement, covering 2024 to 2026, provides a structured COLA totalling 12.5 per cent.

The pay rise will be phased in over three years:
• 2024 – 3 per cent
• 2025 – 4.5 per cent
• 2026 – 5 per cent

Payments for 2024 will be made in three tranches: before Easter, July 31, and October 10.

The 2025 adjustment will be paid in two parts before Christmas and mid‑March, while the 2026 increase will take effect from January 1.

In a statement, the union said: “This is a huge milestone and a well‑deserved victory for our members. We would like to extend our appreciation to the Minister for Employment for his support in making this happen.”

Government intervention helped bring both sides back to the table, with a focus on good‑faith discussions.

Council management and union leaders acknowledged the importance of continued cooperation, signalling stability for essential municipal services in Ba.