The 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 they can sustain their households after a hard day’s work,” Mr. Singh stated in Labasa.
“There will be no second warning for employers if they fail to adhere to the minimum wage rate of $4.50 per hour,” he emphasized.
The government’s approval of the wage increase took effect yesterday, August 1.
The increase aims to help low-income earners cope with the rising cost of living.
Mr. Singh also noted that compliance officers must improve their identification processes to find employers who violate the instruction.
“The increase in the ministry’s staff capacity ensures effective surveillance of all employers,” he added.
“Employees or workers are advised to contact the ministry or other centers if they feel they are being underpaid.”
The second phase of the minimum wage increase will come into effect on April 1, 2025.
The minister praised employers who already pay above the minimum wage rate, stressing that workers must maintain high performance standards in their workplaces.
Vinesh Dayal, president of the Labasa Chamber of Commerce and Industries, has recently urged employers to comply with all laws.
As an alternative to combat rising living costs, Mr. Dayal suggested promoting the growth of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
“This will help SMEs earn reasonable incomes and create more employment opportunities through new openings,” Mr. Dayal said.