“The Queen’s birthday’s importance disappeared from Fiji when we became a republic and now our status is an independent nation,” Fiji Labour ministry spokesman Jone Usamate said on Wednesday.
Fiji government said the decision is meant to increase “productivity and growth” by cutting down on holidays in the South Pacific nation.
Fiji, which became independent from Britain in 1970, also replaced the image of the Queen on its coins with local flora and fauna last year.
Britain itself does not mark Queen Elizabeth’s birthday as a bank holiday but the holiday is observed in former British colonies including Australia and New Zealand.
AMR/JR/HE
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