We will continue to campaign for $4 minimum wage rate - FTUC

The Fiji Trades Union Congress says it will continue to campaign for the minimum wage rate to be raised to $4.

Speaking to Fijivillage FTUC National Secretary Felix Anthony says this should be the starting point but it does not get workers above the poverty line.

Anthony says that the minimum wage should be the living wage and the current minimum wage rate is inadequate.

Meanwhile, the Minister for Employment Jone Usamate had earlier stated that the new national minimum wage of $2.68 will greatly benefit about more than 150,000 marginalized workers in the informal sector.

Usamate had said that government has promised the Fijian people on the increase of minimum wage rates during the announcement of its 2017‑2018 National Budget and this has transpired.

Usamate had earlier stated that the government tries to create situations where jobs can be created.

The Minister for Employment had stressed that people must understand that the national minimum wage rate is for unskilled workers like people looking after babies and those hired to clean cassava patches.

The current national minimum wage rate is $2.68 per hour.