Workers at several Marriott-owned properties in Fiji, including the Sheraton Fiji Golf & Beach Resort and The Westin Denarau, will receive a 4.5% wage increase for the year 2025. The National Union of Hospitality, Catering & Tourism Industries Employees (NUHCTIE) reached this agreement with Marriott International, which will be effective from January 1 to December 31, 2025.
Neeraj Chadha, the Multi Property Vice President for Marriott International in the Pacific Islands, and Daniel Urai, the General Secretary of NUHCTIE, officially signed the agreement, which includes wage increases at all employment levels.
In light of the general economic environment in Fiji, such wage increases are crucial. The National Minimum Wage Rate (NMWR) is also rising, moving from $4 per hour to a potential $5 by April 2025. This increase in wages, in conjunction with elevated living costs in Fiji, could lead to higher consumer prices, as businesses might pass on increased labor costs through elevated prices for services and goods.
The government has acknowledged the economic pressures, including an analysis from Westpac’s quarterly economic update, which suggests that businesses may have to adopt cost-saving strategies to cope with higher wages, though significant layoffs are not anticipated based on past trends.
Such agreements and economic adjustments not only reflect a commitment to improving employee wages but also aim to reduce issues like brain drain, where skilled workers leave the country for better opportunities abroad.
This development is a hopeful sign for workers in the hospitality industry in Fiji, indicating a move toward better compensation in a challenging economic landscape.
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