COVID-19 has had an unimaginable impact on businesses worldwide, the consequences of which are already being felt here in Fiji.
Many workers have been laid off or have lost their jobs across the country and here in Suva, one group of young men shared how they have suddenly experienced a drastic drop in business.
At the Suva Municipal Market, clean wheelbarrows are neatly chained, a sign of what life had been for many – a prisoner of time, not knowing when life will return to normal.
The boys said they did not know what or how the coming days would unfold, but they were certain that as long as people were not moving around, their wheelbarrows would remain idle.
Their leader, Titimo Leva, said business dropped drastically after restrictions were placed in Lautoka. The shutdown of Nadi International Airport also saw their earnings nosedive.
“The business is very slack, not many people moving around,” he said.
“The western buses are not coming. The farmers from the villages are also not coming.
“One of our major businesses, apart from catering to passengers disembarking from the western buses, was the farmers from the rural areas who bring their produce to the Suva market but now because of COVID-19, they are afraid of coming to Suva City.
He added there were four bases from which they operated, each base accommodating about 25 wheelbarrow boys.
“Before the COVID-19 restrictions came in place, I used to make $60 to $80 per day, but now I make only $20 to $25.”
Mr Leva said he hoped relevant authorities would provide them with personal protective gear.
“I hope someone gives the wheelbarrow boys hand gloves and masks so we can go about doing our jobs without fear of contracting the virus.”
Suva Municipal Market acting market master Mr Tui Koto declined to comment but said the wheelbarrow boys had the freedom to voice their concerns.
