Minister for Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations, Agni Deo Singh, announced yesterday that additional staff will be engaged 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.
“There will be no second warning issued to employers if they fail to adhere to the minimum wage rate of $4.50 per hour,” he asserted. The government’s approval for the wage increase took effect yesterday, August 1. This increase aims to help low-income earners cope with the rising cost of living.
Singh added that compliance officers need to enhance their identification processes to locate employers breaching the instruction. “The increase in staff capacity within the ministry allows for effective surveillance of all employers,” he said.
“Employees or workers are advised to contact the ministry or other centers if they feel they are being underpaid,” he added. The second phase of the minimum wage increase is scheduled to come into effect on April 1, 2025.
The minister commended employers who have already been paying workers above the minimum wage rate, stressing that workers must ensure their performance meets the required standard of proficiency.
Labasa Chamber of Commerce and Industries president, Vinesh Dayal, recently encouraged employers to comply with all laws. As an alternative to tackling the cost of living, Dayal advised fostering the growth of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). “This would help SMEs earn reasonable incomes and create more employment opportunities with new openings,” Dayal said.