Fiji's minister for poverty alleviation, Adi Asenaca Caucau, says those who want the government to scrap taxes on basic food items, must look at the wider picture.
More than 5-thousand people have signed a petition promoted by the Ecumenical Centre for Research, Education and Advocacy.
The NGO says 35 per cent of Fiji people are poor and can't afford to pay a 12 and a half per cent value added tax on basic food items like rice, flour and milk.
It's also calling for the payment of just and fair wages and a cost of living payment for all workers.
The minister, Adi Asenaca, says only 25 per cent of Fiji people are classified as poor.
She acknowledges the campaigners' demands...
"...But we have to take the overall picture into consideration; the economic situation. We have to take into consideration, how much revenue government receives... what are the expenditures; and, you know, Fiji is doing very well, compared to other developing countries."
