The co-director of the Sustainable Mahogany Industry John Wagner says their workers are well paid.
“We pay our workers extremely well. The starting wage here is $5 an hour. To get to the podium you need the gold, the silver and the bronze. The gold are always your employees. The silver and the bronze will either be your raw materials or your machines,” the American Investor said.
Workers representative Isei Verevakabau, who hails from Tokatoka in Tailevu could not agree more and praised SMI Limited for treating workers as a priority.
“We have now reached a stage where the work conditions have been so good, all that we had wanted in terms of work enhancement and OHS have been provided for. In terms of wages and working conditions, we have really been blessed,” Mr Verevakabau said.
“Out of all places that I have worked in, this is the best, now our rates are $5 an hour compared to the $1.80 that we initially received.
“Before there was only one bus that used to freight us from Navua to Waidradra and Nakaulevu which was all paid for by the company.”
“The work place is highly commendable with all the latest machines to complement our work and these allows us to work better compared to the former days.
“We are so privileged to be working with fellow employees from overseas and the good wages that was once a dream.”
Mr Verevakabau said local workers were grateful to the Prime Minister for coming down to meet them at their level.
Mr Wagner said the industry needed quality to help bring the product to market and the possibility was there.
“Chris (co-director) and I have already given them the tools to bring these mahoganies to market and these mahoganies are already being ambassadors for Fiji,” Mr Wagner said.
“One that Fiji makes quality products, and two under legality through the certification. These are sustainable jobs, which are not going away.”
Out of the 80 workers at the SMI factory in Navua six are females in their twenties tenderly putting on the finishing cut to the guitar shaped woods before it is being exported to America.
Mr Wagner is optimistic that this will open up other industries in Fiji for women.
A female worker tenderly puts on the final touch creating a guitar shape on the mahogany wood.
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