Minister for Employment, Productivity, and Industrial Relations, Agni Deo Singh, announced yesterday that additional staff will be employed to monitor employers. “We want people to be paid fairly so that they can sustain their households after a hard day’s work,” Singh stated while in Labasa.
“No second warning will be issued to employers if they fail to comply with the minimum wage rate of $4.50 per hour,” Singh declared. The government’s approval for this wage increase took effect on August 1. This increase aims to help low-income earners cope with the rising cost of living.
Singh emphasized that compliance officers need to improve their methods to identify employers who violate this directive. “The increase in staff capacity within the ministry will enable effective surveillance of all employers,” he said. He urged employees to contact the ministry if they suspect wage cheating.
The second phase of the minimum wage increase will be implemented on April 1, 2025. Singh also praised employers who already pay their workers above the minimum wage rate but urged workers to ensure their job performance meets high standards.
Vinesh Dayal, president of the Labasa Chamber of Commerce and Industries, has recently encouraged employers to comply with all laws. As an alternative to coping with the cost of living, Dayal suggested the growth of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). “This would help small and medium enterprises earn a reasonable income and create new job opportunities,” Dayal said.