‘It will be economic disaster if NFP forms government’
That is the comment from FijiFirst General Secretary Aiyaz Sayed‑Khaiyum while debating National Federation Party Leader Professor Biman Prasad, about National Minimum Wage rate on Straight Talk with our News Director Vijay Narayan last night.
Sayed‑Khaiyum has once again challenged the NFP business people to start paying their employees $5 an hour immediately.
Sayed‑Khaiyum says they are saying that pay increase is essential but it needs to be done responsibly adding all other wage councils need a review of their wages.
He says they have announced in the next 18 months there will be a full review of the wages councils and they will then decide on the wage rate.
Sayed‑Khaiyum says when it comes to National Minimum Wage Rate, there should not be any exceptions.
While responding to Professor Prasad’s allegations that the Textile Clothing and Footwear Industry Council of Fiji is supporting FijiFirst, Sayed‑Khaiyum says that Prasad is a joke with Prasad also calling Sayed‑Khaiyum a joke.
Professor Prasad says that they maintain their stand that they will implement $5 National Minimum Wage Rate in the first 100 days if they form the next government.
Professor Prasad says that they announced this policy 16 months ago and now on the eve of the elections the businesses are talking about job losses.
The Textile Clothing and Footwear Industry Council of Fiji says that the rise in the National Minimum Wage Rate to $4, $5 or even $10 as suggested by some political parties will see the loss of 7,000 jobs in their industry and will also see the death of the industry.
Professor Prasad has reiterated that no job will be lost as they will be bringing in a law that will stop businesses from letting go of their employees.
He is again not clear as to what the package will include that will come with the wage increase as people have raised concerns as to what will be included in the package.
Professor Prasad says in the 100 days they will have thorough consultation for legislation.
He says the National Minimum Wage rate will be a legislation that will include everyone.
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