Fiji Trades Union Congress National Secretary Felix Anthony has criticised Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka’s comments on the proposed living wage, saying declaring it unsustainable risks condemning workers and their families to continued poverty.
In a statement titled Wake Up Call, Anthony said the Prime Minister’s comments were “most unfortunate” and accused the Government of failing to adequately consider the difficulties faced by low-paid workers.
“To say that a Living Wage is unsustainable is to condemn workers to perpetual poverty,” Anthony said.
“It appears that the Prime Minister is either confused or has not paid attention to the plight of workers and their families.”
Anthony acknowledged that immediately increasing wages to $8 an hour may be difficult for some small and medium-sized businesses.
However, he argued that larger businesses were in a stronger position to absorb higher wages.
“The FTUC understands that an immediate increase to $8 may not be possible for small and medium employers. It sure is possible for big employers,” Anthony said.
He questioned claims that major companies and industries could not afford the proposed rate, accusing larger employers of using the circumstances of smaller businesses to resist wage increases.
“We have here in Fiji an excellent example of how the ‘big boys’ hide behind the ‘small boys’ and claim unsustainability,” he said.
“They threaten business closures and job losses. That’s how it’s always been.”
Anthony also linked low wages to Fiji’s continuing loss of skilled workers overseas.
“The main reason why our skilled workers are leaving our shores is low wage. People want a better life,” he said.
He compared Fiji’s wage levels with New Zealand and Australia, while acknowledging that living costs were higher in those countries.
Anthony said workers struggling financially could not be expected to deliver greater productivity.
“Workers who live in poverty and struggle to put food on the table for their families will not be productive,” he said.
“Families have had to survive on cassava and tea or rice and tea and that is the reality.”
Anthony also rejected reliance on economic growth eventually improving workers’ livelihoods.
“Here in Fiji, it’s all about business. They need to grow and hopefully workers will be better off,” he said.
“Trickle-down economics has not worked and will not. We can see that after decades of the same policy.”
Anthony also responded to the Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation’s reference to a 115 per cent increase in the National Minimum Wage over the past 20 years.
He said percentage increases meant little if workers still did not earn enough to maintain a decent standard of living.
“Workers need dollars and not percentages for a decent living,” Anthony said.
He accused the Government of responding quickly when businesses sought assistance while subjecting improvements for workers to lengthy studies and consultation processes.
“The FTUC cannot comprehend the insensitivity of Government and employers when it comes to poor workers,” he said.
Anthony called on the Government to establish a pathway towards implementing a living wage, rather than requiring an immediate $8 rate across every business.
“We call on Government to decide on a plan to implement a Living Wage within a reasonable period of time for small and medium enterprises,” he said.
He said Fiji’s commitments to decent work and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals needed to be backed by action.
“Fair wage and Decent Work are commitments that need to be implemented,” Anthony said.
He also urged workers to pay attention to the debate and described the issue as a “wake up” call.
“It is a time for workers to wake up.”
