THE Fiji National Provident Fund should have a tripartite board, says Fiji Trade Union Congress general secretary Felix Anthony.
Calling for a national bbudget that will cater for worker’s needs, Mr Anthony said the fund’s board of directors should have equal representation.
“We have also raised with Government in our submissions that the issue of the Fiji National Provident Fund be addressed in that we need to revert to a tripartite board for FNPF, as it was for decades, and it worked perfectly well,” said Mr Anthony.
“I must also say that the International Labor Organization Committee of Experts has urged government continuously over the years to ensure that the workers superannuation fund, which is FNPF, is managed by a tripartite board.
“By tripartite we mean government employers and workers representatives in equal numbers.”
Mr Anthony also highlighted Fiji’s current VAT system.
“I think the other area that maybe needs to be looked into is the VAT that we currently have at 15 per cent.
“I think it would greatly assist the workers if there was some reduction in the rate of VAT in this country.
“We certainly hope that is being considered as one way of trying to reduce the cost of living in this country.”
He said the tax rate exemptions was set at $30,000 but workers earning lower than the threshold were still paying tax through other means.
“I think it is still not correct to say that workers who earn less than $30,000 pay no tax.
“In fact, they pay tax through the value added tax.”
