Fijian Families at Breaking Point Amid Economic Pressures, Warns FCOSS

Fijian families are at a breaking point, with the Fiji Council of Social Services (FCOSS) warning that households have little capacity left to absorb further economic shocks. Executive Director Vani Catanasiga stated that lower-income families have spent years adapting to crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic and soaring prices, by cutting expenses and growing their own food.

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Fijian families are running out of room to absorb further economic shocks.

Catanasiga emphasized that families have exhausted their coping mechanisms and that policymakers must now intervene to shield vulnerable households from additional hardship. Fiji's significant reliance on imported fuel makes it particularly susceptible to global events, such as the tensions between Israel and Iran, prompting Catanasiga to advocate for a faster transition to renewable energy sources.

Furthermore, Catanasiga cautioned against glorifying resilience, noting that some communities have not yet recovered from past cyclones and are increasingly vulnerable. Seema Shandil, CEO of the Consumer Council of Fiji, echoed these concerns, stating that consumers have valid reasons to worry about further price increases for food and essential goods.

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Families have done all they can, and policymakers must now ensure vulnerable households are protected from further hardship.

Shandil highlighted that rising fuel prices, supply chain disruptions, and Fiji's import dependency are diminishing household purchasing power. Many staple goods have already become more expensive. Both organizations are urging the government to implement stronger protective measures as economic pressures continue to mount on families.

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Consumers have legitimate reasons to be worried about further increases in the prices of food and essential goods.