EMPLOYERS should stop using the national minimum wage as an excuse for their failing businesses, says Fiji Trade Union Congress national secretary Felix Anthony.
His comment comes as the garment industry raises concerns about the national minimum wage to be implemented on April 1.
“The threat of job losses because of the minimum wage cannot be taken seriously,” Mr Anthony said.
“Fiji has committed to decent work and that includes just wages and dignity at work,” he said..
“Any business that cannot pay decent wages should not exist. Such excuses cannot be used to exploit workers.”
Mr Anthony said the garment industry has always complained about wage reviews.
“That is a normal thing for them.
“What I do not understand is that their business never does well but, personally, the owners seem to do very well.
“This just does not seem right. They continue to complain about competition.
“That’s the name of the game for every business,” he said.
Mr Anthony said employers must take on the responsibility of showing care and compassion for their workers without whom they could not operate a business at all.
“We reject the excuse given by these employers.
“We also note that the minimum wage set by the Government is well below the poverty line and none of us should be proud of this fact.”
