The Fiji Labour Party has criticized Finance Minister Biman Prasad, arguing that his claims of the Coalition Government respecting workers and trade unions’ rights are purely rhetorical and hypocritical. This criticism followed the budget announcement, where former Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry claimed that the Government undermined trade unions’ collective bargaining rights. According to him, the Government imposed unilateral pay increases ranging from seven to 20 percent for established civil servants and added a $1 hourly pay raise for hourly workers.
Chaudhry expressed that these proposed increases are significantly lower than what the unions had requested, and hence are unlikely to be accepted. He expressed disgust at the Government’s explicit support of the pay and benefits hike suggested by the Parliamentary Emoluments Committee, despite significant public outrage over this self-serving act.
Chaudhry also expressed concern over the increased grant for Pacific Polytechnic Institute, which raised from $1m to $5m. He drew attention to the Institute’s contentious history and close ties to the minister, questioning the legitimacy of these actions. Industry sources have questioned the efficacy of its training programs. By comparison, he finds it shocking that other reliable vocational and training institutions together receive grants of just $3.5m. Chaudhry called for the Education Ministry to investigate these disparities.