Savenaca Narube, the leader of the Unity Fiji party, is urging the Government to reevaluate the list of goods that are under price control, with the aim of temporarily extending these measures. He believes that this adjustment would allow both the Government and the corporate sector to better manage the rising prices to share the economic burden more equitably.
Narube pointed out that after nearly two years in power, the government’s approach to tackling the cost of living in the 2024/2025 national budget has primarily focused on increasing incomes through higher minimum wages and additional allowances for education and welfare.
“The Coalition Government is failing to address the soaring cost of living, which continues to impact families throughout Fiji,” said the former governor of the Reserve Bank of Fiji. He criticized the increases in various goods and services, stating, “The rationale for the price hikes defies economic logic. Sellers are taking advantage of the situation to maximize their profits.”
Narube emphasized that Unity Fiji has consistently called for a dual approach to reduce the cost of living, advocating for a fair distribution of the financial strain between the corporate sector and the public.
He recommended that the Government reallocate customs taxes from essential goods to luxury items without reducing overall revenue, and review Fiji’s exchange rate policy to enhance the stability of the Fiji dollar.