The long wait is finally over for members of the Vatukoula Mine Workers Union following the handover of the first tranche of payment amounting to $3.6 million in Suva today.
Facilitated by the Fiji Ministry of Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations, this first compensation payout of $10,000 per mine worker is part of the 2024-2025 National Budget while the second payment of $15,000 per mine worker will be paid from the 2025-2026 budget.
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka officiated at the event, acknowledging the hardship and perseverance of the mine workers and their families during one of the world’s longest strikes that had lasted an astonishing 33 years.
“Today, we gather to reflect on a significant chapter in our history: a chapter marked by resilience, struggle, and an unwavering quest for justice,” he asserted.
“For those who may not be aware, it was on the 27th of February 1991 that around 368 brave mining workers in Vatukoula took a stand. They embarked on this strike to seek justice pertaining to their employment terms and conditions”
Since that fateful day, the workers and their families have been fighting for their rights and justice to be served accordingly.
Present at the event were the union representatives, who expressed their gratitude to the Government for putting an end to their three-decade-old fight.
To read the Prime Minister’s remarks, click on the link https://shorturl.at/iqnGo
