There were mixed reactions from the Labasa business community on the Review of the National Minimum Wage and the Wage Rate 2019.

Labasa businessman Satish Kumar says a proposed increase in the national minimum wage can be borne by employers.

“I think that the proposed 15/56 cents increment is not that bad. I think that our business community can pay as you know that the cost of living is going higher.”

However, businessman Taiyab Hussein feels, there shouldn’t be any changes to the current minimum wage rate.

“From my point of view, unskilled workers rate should remain where it is.”

Seaqaqa Businessman Ian Chute feels the sectoral wage rate is unfair.

“If you go to Australia and New Zealand, the minimum wage rate is quite high. What’s the reason for that? Why are we screwing around with $2 an hour here. Is it really fair for us to be earning $2 or $2.60 and maybe government officers or minister or anyone at government level can be earning $100 an hour. There is something lacking. Something is missing.”

Fiji’s current minimum wage is set at $2.68 per hour.

The two week nationwide public consultation, which started in Labasa yesterday and continues in Savusavu today – will determine if the rate should be increased and by how much.

The last minimum wage review was held on September 30, 2017.