THE Government should narrow the income disparity, says the former Reserve Bank governor Unity Fiji leader Savenaca Narube.
Mr Narube believes the national minimum wage rate should increase to $5 an hour.
“They should also improve statistics on unemployment, job creation and poverty, so we can get the true picture,” he said.
Mr Narube said they should target 6 per cent of the medium-term growth by transforming the economy.
“They can do so by providing a new platform to lift long-term economic growth to an average of 6 per cent to provide more jobs and incomes.
“Also, by introducing an integrated diversification program of natural resources and initiating a program to change mindsets.”
Mr Narube said one of his major criticisms of previous government budgets was the lack of a clear and simple medium to long-term economic plan.
“This is the budget that the Government should use to launch this plan.”
Mr Narube said in the new financial year, the Government should promote the production of Fijian-made products to moderate the rise in the cost of living and subsidies to be funded from tax surcharges on super profits.
