19 Nov 2012

Big rises for low paid workers at Airports Fiji Ltd

4:31 pm on 19 November 2012

The Fiji interim regime is offering substantial pay rises for nearly 250 low-income workers at Airports Fiji Limited.

Those who will benefit include baggage handlers, firemen, security officers, plumbers, painters, carpenters and drivers.

A release from the ministry of information says presently almost all earn less than 8,300 US dollars a year and 40 percent get less than 5,600 dollars.

But Commodore Frank Bainimarama says raises of from 1,000 to more than 4,000 dollars are being given.

He says some have not had pay reviews since 1999.

Commodore Bainimarama says it is a question of basic fairness.

He says it does nothing for the morale in any organisation when some people are seen to benefit more than others.

The acting chairman of Airports Fiji, Faiz Khan, says it will cost the company about 400,000 US dollars a year but it will be money well spent.