The Fiji Trades Union Congress (FTUC) has questioned the recent fuel price increase, saying the justification provided does not reflect the realities faced by workers.
In a statement, National Secretary Felix Anthony said while the union understood the global fuel crisis was beyond Government control, it could not reconcile the price hike with existing fuel stocks reportedly purchased at lower prices.
“We fail to understand how the crisis impacts the current fuel stocks that were bought at the old prices,” Mr Anthony said, adding that increasing retail prices now would effectively allow fuel companies to benefit from windfall profits.
He argued that if such logic was applied fairly, workers should also receive wage increases in anticipation of rising living costs.
Mr Anthony called on the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission to be transparent in its decision-making, questioning how the price increases were justified.
“This increase will have a drastic impact on workers, particularly those on minimum wage, which is already below the poverty line,” he said.
The FTUC warned that rising fuel costs would likely drive up the price of essential goods, placing further strain on low-income households.
Mr Anthony also urged Government to reconsider the current minimum wage of $5 and review wage structures under the Wages Council Orders, advocating instead for a living wage above the poverty line.
He called on the FCCC to rescind the approved fuel price increases until suppliers begin paying higher costs for imported fuel.
