*The Textile, Clothing and Footwear Council of Fiji has revealed a recommendation of $2.85 to $3.10 per hour to the National Minimum Wage rate has been suggested. *
President, Michael Towler says this recommendation was made during a discussion with the government and relevant stakeholders earlier this year.
Towler adds the suggested increment would be a manageable rate for the industry as it employs over 7,000 Fijians.
“$4 or $5 an hour simply puts not only our businesses under threat or closure but our workers out of work. We are business owners have a moral obligation to employ those we do and take care of them and pay them a fair wage.”
Towler says the promises by some political parties to increase the National Minimum Wage to $4, $5 and $10 an hour is far-fetched.
The National Federation Party is advocating a minimum wage rate of $5 per hour, while the Social Democratic Liberal Party and HOPE are fighting for $4 and $10 per hour rate respectively.
