30 Jun 2017

Academic says Fiji budget promises won't address poverty

From , 3:03 pm on 30 June 2017

The Fiji government is promising a 14 percent wage increase for government workers, an increase in benefits for the poor and elderly and extra money for the ailing sugar industry in its budget for the coming year.

Fiji's Economy Minister Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum delivered the budget to parliament last night, saying the economy is the strongest it has ever been.

A professor at the University of the South Pacific, Vijay Naidu, told Sally Round there are a number of good things but they won't substantially address poverty.

Fiji money

Fiji money Photo: RNZ Pacific