Any COVID-19 budget must protect the vulnerable, a Suva-based Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) stated in their submission towards the country’s COVID-19 budget scheduled to be presented later this evening.
Head of Fiji Council of Social Services Vani Catanasiga said they would like the establishment of national social protection floors focusing on those most at risk and vulnerable during the COVID-19 crisis.
“It should ensures access to essential healthcare, basic income security particularly for those who are vulnerable such as those living with disabilities, those who have been unemployed, the elderly and providing access to nutrition, education, care and other necessary goods and services,” Catanasiga said.
“Our major concern as the FCOSS, that often the focus of stimulating the economy waters down the need to continue to provide social protection and relief for those who are most vulnerable in our societies, particularly because this budget is about responding to COVID.”
Fiji’s Minister for Economy and Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum has been tightlipped on the budget, but shed some light in a tweet today stating that it would “offer relief to Fijian families, bolster businesses, protect workers and fund life-saving containment efforts.”
The Budget announcement at the Fijian Parliament house will start at 7.30pm. Join the MaiTV team for our budget special on “Simpson At Eight”.
