Minister for Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations, Agni Deo Singh, announced yesterday that additional staff will be hired to monitor employers. “We want people to be paid fairly so they can sustain their households after a hard day’s work,” Mr. Singh said during his visit to Labasa yesterday.
“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 added. The government’s approval for the wage increase came into effect yesterday (August 1). This increase aims to help low-income earners cope with the rising cost of living.
Mr. Singh emphasized that compliance officers need to enhance their identification processes to locate employers who are not following the rules. “The increase in staff capacity within the ministry means more effective surveillance of all employers,” he stated. “Employees or workers are advised to contact the ministry or other centers if they feel they are being cheated on wages.”
The second phase of the minimum wage increase is set to come into effect on April 1, 2025. The minister also praised employers who have already been paying their workers above the minimum wage rate. However, he noted that workers must ensure their performance in the workplace meets the required standard of proficiency.
Labasa Chamber of Commerce and Industries president, Vinesh Dayal, has recently encouraged employers not to bypass any laws. As an alternative to coping with the cost of living, Mr. Dayal suggested the growth of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). “This would help SMEs to earn a reasonable income and create more employment opportunities with new openings,” he said.
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