Alliance wants money

FIJI’s eight-civil society organisation alliance members have concluded that the 2020-2021 National Budget was a missed opportunity for Fijians.

Social Empowerment and Education Program director Chantelle Khan stated that their budget submission to the Government had articulated points for a people-centred budget that would ensure that money pumped into the different sectors trickled down to the local grassroots level and not be held by businesses which was the current reality.

Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre co-ordinator Shamima Ali said this was not a compassionate budget encompassing all people, especially the neediest.

“Very little social protection and no analysis. It’s not only about investment attractiveness but the livelihood of people,” Ms Ali said.