Prime Minister Hon. Sitiveni Rabuka has reassured the Fiji Mine Workers Union of the Peoples’ Coalition Government’s support for the Vatukoula Strike Payout.
While meeting the union members and their families in Ba on Saturday, PM Rabuka conveyed the government’s appreciation to the 368 miners who have long awaited justice for 33 years.
Even though it took more than three decades, the PM informed those in attendance that “there is now light at the end of the tunnel”.
Last week, the government through the Ministry of Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations signed the final agreement on the Vatukoula Strike Payout with the union.
Under the agreement, each miner will receive $10,000 as compensation by August 2024 and an additional payment of $15,000 reserved for next year.
PM Rabuka said the events of 1991 devastated the lives of many, some of whom have passed on, others have returned to their villages, while a few have decided to remain in Vatukoula.
The Head of Government took the opportunity to apologise to the union and their families for the lengthy process in reaching the agreement.
For this, PM Rabuka assured them that discussions regarding the agreement will be ongoing, adding that the government will ensure that all due process will be followed.
Among the 368 miners, 183 have deceased while 185 remain.
