The Fiji Trades Union Congress has officially launched a nationwide campaign calling for an $8 per hour living wage, marking a major push to improve worker welfare and tackle poverty in Fiji.
The campaign was unveiled during the union movement’s 51st Biennial Delegates Conference in Nadi today, following a Trade Union Leaders Planning Symposium held a day earlier at the Tanoa International Hotel.
FTUC says the campaign represents a shift away from advocating for a minimum wage aimed merely at survival, towards a “living wage” that would allow workers and their families to live with dignity amid rising living costs.
Minister for Information Lynda Tabuya voiced support for the initiative, saying there was growing backing within Cabinet for the proposal. She described the issue as one of “political will”, adding that workers deserved fair compensation in the face of increasing economic pressures.
The union movement first proposed the $8 living wage target in its submission for the 2025–2026 National Budget, describing it as a necessary response to inflation and the rising cost of living.
The campaign is expected to involve consultations with workers, unions, employers and Government stakeholders as the FTUC seeks broader national support for the proposed wage increase.
