Fiji Sugar Corporation workers will get a pay increase of 5 percent back dated to January 1st this year.
The announcement was made by Prime Minister Rear Admiral Voreqe Bainimarama at the FSC sports day in Lautoka this morning.
Bainimarama says the pay increase will be in their next pay packet as a reward for FSC’s healthy financial position.
“It isn’t a handout you have earned it. It is an acknowledgment of the hard work you have been put in last season so congratulations. You are an example to all Fijians of what can be achieved when workers, management and government join hands for the good of everyone. You helped us make the reforms that were needed to put sugar on the proper footing and now you are reaping the rewards.”
This is the second pay rise for FSC employees, after a similar 5.3 percent increase last year.
This latest pay hike is worth $1.5 million dollars.
FSC Executive Chairman Abdul Khan says half a million dollars will be used for the backdated pay increase and the remaining million will be the expenditure for the new wages.
The pay rise comes only days before the crushing season begins with Labasa mill to start crushing on Wednesday followed by Rarawai Mill on Thursday.
