Bose Vavataga 
FTUC General Secretary Felix Anthony during the 50th anniversary celebrations of the International Labour Organization in the Pacific in Nadi
The Fiji Trades Union Congress will launch a national campaign for a Living Wage in 2026, aiming to ensure wages reflect the real cost of living.
The FTUC states that fair pay allows workers and their families to live with dignity.
General Secretary Felix Anthony announced the initiative at the 50th-anniversary celebrations of the International Labour Organization in the Pacific, held in Nadi.
He said it’s time to move beyond minimum wages that merely support survival, emphasizing that the campaign will focus on dignity and fair income for all Fijians.
Anthony added that the campaign complements ongoing discussions within revitalized sectoral wages councils and follows the anticipated approval of the Employment Relations Amendment Bill, which he described as a “lifeline” for workers after years of suppressed rights.
He also praised Fiji’s progress in implementing ILO core labor standards and called for stronger tripartite partnerships to address emerging challenges like climate change, labor migration, and workplace safety.
“Our association with ILO dates back many years of close collaboration on various technical assistance such as the elimination of child labour, occupational safety at work, development policies, informal economy, violence and harassment, youth and gender.”
The campaign aligns with the FTUC’s long-standing advocacy for better wages, social security, and the enforcement of workers’ rights.
It marks a significant milestone in Fiji’s labor movement, 50 years after the country joined the ILO.
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