Workers deserve more than minimum wage: FTUC

There is a political and economic push for a new national living wage beyond minimum wage, backed publicly by a cabinet minister and union leaders framing it as a dignity and productivity issue.

The Fiji Trades Union Congress (FTUC) will tomorrow launch its first campaign continuing the call for a national living wage during the 51st FTUC Biennial Delegates Conference 2026.

Minister for Information Lynda Tabuya revealed this during the Trade Union Leaders Planning Symposium at the Tanoa International Hotel in Nadi today.

Ms Tabuya said political will was needed to make the initiative a reality.

“Our vote is supported. It is high time and it takes political will,” she said.

"We can talk about subsidies and tax breaks for employers, but the worker cannot be avoided.

“The union movement in this country advocated for the minimum wage, and it happened.

“Keep doing it. I support tomorrow’s launch. I know I won’t lose my job over this because there is a majority of candidates who feel the same way.

“This is not a small task, but it is a task for our generation and it cannot be done by government alone, by youth alone, or by employers alone.”

FTUC national secretary Felix Anthony said the campaign for a living wage had been pursued for many years.

“We will continue to do that. The workers of this country not only deserve a fair wage, but they deserve dignity at work as well,” Mr Anthony said.

“This has been at the forefront of our minds for quite some time. Quite often we hear employers talk about productivity, but what they fail to understand is that if you pay wages below the poverty line, there is absolutely no way you are going to get productivity at work.

“It goes hand in hand, and this is something we need to educate employers on every time we talk about minimum wage.

“There needs to be fair working conditions and, of course, a fair wage. We have been pursuing the Employment Relations Act review and I am hoping Government will put that into law by the end of this month, as promised.”

Mr Anthony said many promises had been made over the years.

Union members were reminded that the trade union movement could not rely on only a few unions.

“We, as a trade union congress, must take some responsibility for where we are and where we need to go, which is why we included you in the planning process for a work plan for the next two years,” he said.

The symposium is also expected to review progress on targets set during the last biannual conference.

“Not only that, but to see where we go from here is important for us as a trade union movement.

“Of course, we have weathered the storms that have come. We need to be prepared for more difficult times if and when they come.

“We need to have a strong trade union movement that can withstand any kind of storm we face.”

FTUC president Dan Urai, Minister for Information Lynda Tabuya, secretary Felix Anthony and PICTU coordinator Raghwan. Photo: WAISEA NASOKIA.