THE International Transport Workers Federation has thrown its support behind the Fiji Trade Union Congress push for a $8 hourly minimum wage.
This after the FTUC led a nationwide campaign yesterday collecting signatures in support of the drive.
ITF Asia Pacific Regional secretary Scott McDine said it was essential that Fijian workers were able to earn a living wage that enabled them to meet the basic cost of living.
“Continuing to suppress the minimum wage at such a low level is government-mandated exploitation, locking people into poverty.
“The failure of wages in Fiji to keep pace with the cost of living is a major reason for the continual drain of Fijian workers moving to other countries.”
Mr McDine said raising the safety net level of pay to a living wage would enable more Fijians to spend money on goods and services.
Unionist Sailesh Naidu said the current minimum wage of $5 was not enough to meet a worker’s basic needs.
He said with the proposed $8 hourly minimum wage rate, a worker would be able to spend $360 per week on basic items.
“That means the argument for $8 should not be that the worker will become wealthy,” he said.
“The argument is that $8 gives the worker a realistic chance of meeting basic living costs and maintaining a minimum level of dignity.”
