The Fiji Employers Federation (FEF) has not changed its stance in regards to the proposed implementation of the new wage rate for nine industries.

CEO Ken Roberts said the wages council should try to understand the current situation and implementing the new wage rate now will not be a good decision.

Roberts added many small employers will not be able to absorb the new wage rate which will give rise to unemployment.

The wage regulation was initially to come into effect on the 1st of February but taking the global financial crises into consideration the Government deferred the implementation to the 1st of next month which is next Wednesday.

A decision on whether or not the implementation of the new wage rate will actually take place next week is expected to be made soon.

The nine industries which are proposed to get a wage increase includes the garment, hotel and catering, manufacturing, printing, security, building, civil, Electrical Engineering, road transport, wholesale and retail, and saw milling industry.