Where Is The Money Coming From? A-G Explains
Government’s initiative, which will see an increase in general practitioners setting up clinics in rural, suburbs, and maritime areas will be funded by money collected through the Fiji National Training Council levy.
Currently Government collects some $21million thought this levy, which is made by bigger businesses and is one per cent of their salaries expense.
While speaking at Rishikul College in Nasinu last night where he held a 2018-2019 National Budget address, Attorney-General and Minister for Economy Aiyaz SayedKhaiyum said Government’s new initiatives did not mean that it would burden the Fijian public and as shown in this instance, it does not.
The other 50 per cent collected from this levy will be diverted towards the Accident Compensation Commission of Fiji, which ias expanding its services to include worker compensation as well.
SODELPA turnout:
A delegation of SODELPA youth joined the roadshow towards the end of the session, firing questions and in return got schooled on how Government operates.
Some from the SODELPA camp, who were present at the University of the South Pacific roadshow a day earlier, also turned up to ask the same question, which they had asked in USP.
Questions SODELPA youth asked:
The minimum wage rate is $2.68, so why is the Attorney-General holding onto a number portfolios?
Where is the benefit for families in this budget?
Mr Sayed-Khaiyum explained to the delegation that him holding onto more than one portfolio did not deprive another Fijian of his or her job. He further explained how a minister was appointed and the fact that anyone who wanted to hold a ministerial portfolio needed to contest the elections and win a seat.
When asked the second question, which had been asked a day earlier at USP by the same person, Mr Sayed-Khaiyum questioned him whether increase in maternity leave meant nothing, whether introduction of family care leave and paternity leave meant nothing and that while the SODELPA youth may think that $1000 is less, it made a world of difference to a new mother whose household income is less than $30,000.
Mr Sayed-Khaiyum explained to the delegation that him holding onto more than one portfolio did not deprive another Fijian of his or her job.