The new wages order will definitely come into effect from next Thursday, the 1st of July.
Chairman of the Wages Council Father Kevin Barr confirmed this to Fijivillage news in the last hour.
Father Barr said the new wages order will come into immediate effect from next Thursday and Labour Ministry Officials will monitor individual employers to ensure they comply with the regulations.
Looking at the various industries, a 20% pay rise has been proposed for the garment industry. Those learning the trade are proposed to receive $1.50 an hour while others' hourly rate has been proposed at $1.78. The current wage rate is $1.48 an hour.
The new wage rate increase for the printing industry is 50c with current rates to increase from $1.70 to $2.20 an hour for those learning the trade and from $2.12 to $2.65 an hour for others.
The security industry is proposed to have an increase of 30 cents where the new wage rate is expected to start at $2.00 an hour.
The new wage rate, for the building, civil, and electrical engineering industries which consists of Foremen, Tradesmen, Watchmen, Heavy and Light Goods drivers and Plant operators, is proposed to increase by 40 to 50 cents an hour.
A 50c increase is proposed for the Manufacturing Industry.
A 35c increase across the board has been proposed for the Hotel and Catering industry which includes barmen, clerks, cooks, waiters, watchmen, night attendants, laundry hands, kitchen hands, house workers and general workers.
A 5% increase across the board has been proposed for the road transport industry.
An increase of 30 to 40c is proposed for the wholesale and retail industry which includes cashiers, clerks, salesmen, sewing machinists, storemen, unskilled workers, watchmen and other workers.
A proposed 40 to 50c increase in the hourly wage rate is also expected for the saw-milling industry.
Fiji Employers Federation President Dixon Seeto said their Board will meet soon before they comment on the matter.
In the morning:
The Wages Council is hopeful that the new wage rate will come into effect next Wednesday as promised earlier by Prime Minister Commodore Frank Bainimarama.
Council Chairman Father Kevin Barr said a number of meetings are taking place regarding this and a decision is expected by next week.
Looking at the various industries, a 20% pay rise has been proposed for the garment industry.
Those learning the trade are proposed to receive $1.50 an hour while others’ hourly rate has been proposed at $1.78.
The current wage rate is $1.48 an hour.
The new wage rate increase for the printing industry is 50c with current rates to increase from $1.70 to $2.20 an hour for those learning the trade and from $2.12 to $2.65 an hour for others.
The security industry is proposed to have an increase of 30 cents where the new wage rate is expected to start at $2.00 an hour.
The new wage rate, for the building, civil, and electrical engineering industries which consists of Foremen, Tradesmen, Watchmen, Heavy and Light Goods drivers and Plant operators, is proposed to increase by 40 to 50 cents an hour.
A 50c increase is proposed for the Manufacturing Industry.
A 35c increase across the board has been proposed for the Hotel and Catering industry which includes barmen, clerks, cooks, waiters, watchmen, night attendants, laundry hands, kitchen hands, house workers and general workers.
A 5% increase across the board has been proposed for the road transport industry.
An increase of 30 to 40c is proposed for the wholesale and retail industry which includes cashiers, clerks, salesman, sewing machinists, store men, unskilled workers, watchmen and other workers.
A proposed 40 to 50c increase in the hourly wage rate is also expected for the saw-milling industry.
