The minimum wage did not typically provide a decent standard of living for a worker and family in Fiji, states the 2021 United States Department of State Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for Fiji released last week.
Fiji had a national minimum wage per hour of $2.68 in 2021 and the Government has announced a staggered increase to $4 per hour by January 2023.
“There was no official poverty level income figure, but the minimum wage did not typically provide a decent standard of living for a worker and family,” states the report.
“The regulations stipulate all employers must display a written national minimum wage notice in their workplace to inform employees of their rights.
“The law provides for 48 hours for a six-day workweek or 45 hours for a five-day workweek. There is no legal limit for overtime hours.
“Convictions for a breach of the wage and hour laws result in a fine, imprisonment, or both. Penalties are commensurate with those for similar crimes, such as fraud.
“The employment ministry’s office of labour inspectorate is responsible for enforcing the wage and hour laws, but the inspectorate lacked the capacity to enforce the law effectively.
“The Employment Relations Tribunal and the Employment Court adjudicate cases of violations of minimum wage orders.”
