Minister for Employment, Productivity, and Industrial Relations, Agni Deo Singh, announced yesterday that additional staff will be appointed 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.
He emphasized that there will be no second warning for employers who fail to adhere to the new minimum wage rate of $4.50 per hour.
The government’s approval to increase the minimum wage took effect on August 1. This increase aims to help low-income earners cope with the rising cost of living.
Singh added that compliance officers must enhance their efforts to identify employers who violate these regulations.
“The increase in staff capacity within the ministry will ensure effective surveillance of all employers,” he noted.
Employees are encouraged to report wage discrepancies to the ministry or other relevant centers.
The second phase of the minimum wage increase will be implemented on April 1, 2025.
The minister praised employers who are already paying their workers above the minimum wage rate but reminded workers to maintain high performance standards in their workplaces.
Labasa Chamber of Commerce and Industries president, Vinesh Dayal, has encouraged employers to comply with the law.
As a strategy to combat the high cost of living, Dayal advised the growth of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), suggesting that this will help SMEs earn reasonable incomes and create more job opportunities.