Cabinet Approves Comprehensive Review of Fiji’s Minimum Wages

Cabinet has approved a comprehensive review of Fiji’s National Minimum Wage and minimum wages across 10 sectors.

The review will be carried out by an independent and suitably qualified consultant, with the aim of providing an objective and evidence-based assessment of the country’s current wage structure and whether adjustments are appropriate.

The assessment will consider factors including the cost of living, inflation, wage trends, productivity, employment, poverty, labour-market conditions and Fiji’s broader economic situation.

It will also examine how possible wage adjustments could affect businesses, particularly small and micro enterprises, as well as employment, investment, productivity, trade and regional economic activity.

Permanent Secretary for Employment, Productivity and Workplace Relations and Chair of the Employment Relations Advisory Board, Jone Maritino Nemani, said the process would take into account both workers’ living standards and the capacity of businesses to remain sustainable.

“The purpose of this comprehensive review is to ensure that decisions are informed by evidence and the realities facing both workers and employers,” Nemani said.

The review will include submissions from workers, trade unions, employers, employer organisations, State-owned enterprises, civil society and other relevant stakeholders. Concerns recently raised by the Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation over the wage review will also be considered.

Once completed, the findings and recommendations will go through Fiji’s tripartite framework, including the Employment Relations Advisory Board and Wages Councils. Further stakeholder consultations will take place before final recommendations are submitted to Cabinet.

The Ministry said technical and legal work was also continuing to strengthen Fiji’s wage-setting framework through clearer evidence-based criteria and improved wage and labour-market data.

Nemani said the Government remained committed to a transparent and consultative process that considers workers’ living standards alongside enterprise sustainability, employment, productivity and Fiji’s wider economic and social circumstances.