The Fiji Trades Union Congress (FTUC) will launch a national campaign for a Living Wage in 2026, aiming to shift the national conversation from minimum wage survival to income levels that support a decent standard of living for all Fijian workers.
Announcing the campaign during the celebration of 50 Years of the ILO in the Pacific in Nadi yesterday, FTUC National Secretary Felix Anthony said the initiative is part of the union movement’s long-standing commitment to achieving decent work and fair wages.
“Decent work can no longer just be a slogan,” Mr Anthony said.
“Next year, the FTUC will launch its campaign for a Living Wage for Fiji, one that reflects the real cost of living and allows workers and their families to live with dignity.”
The announcement comes as Fiji awaits parliamentary approval of the Employment Relations (Amendment) Bill, that Mr Anthony described as a “lifeline” for workers, following 16 years of suppressed rights under the previous administration.
The FTUC is also actively engaged with government in ongoing discussions on the National Minimum Wage and welcomed the revitalisation of the 10 sectoral Wages Councils, which are tasked with reviewing wage structures across different industries.
“Our campaign for a Living Wage will complement these discussions. Minimum wage is about survival. A Living Wage is about dignity,” Mr Anthony said.
He reiterated that decent wages, rights at work, and social protection must go hand in hand with democracy and inclusive governance.
“Workers cannot be expected to thrive in an environment where democratic norms are weakened or suppressed. Decent work and democracy are inseparable,” he said.
