Workers from the Fiji Mine Workers Union, who have been on a historic 33-year strike, have finally received their first payment of $3.6 million. The miners, employed at the Vatukoula Gold Mine in the Western Division, initiated the strike on February 27, 1991, to protest against unfair treatment and working conditions.
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka presided over the compensation ceremony, addressing the long wait the miners and their families have endured for justice. He acknowledged that the struggles faced by the miners were significant, stating that the protracted wait for compensation had taken a toll on countless lives.
During the event, Mr. Rabuka extended a personal apology to the elders present, admitting that he could have acted sooner in his previous ministerial role. The initial payment of $10,000 will be distributed to each miner, with a second tranche of $15,000 scheduled to be paid from the 2025-2026 National Budget.
Highlighting the profound impact of the strike, Mr. Rabuka expressed sympathy for the emotional and financial challenges experienced by the miners and their families over the decades. He emphasized that this check symbolizes not just financial assistance but also recognition of the hardships those affected have faced.
Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations, Agni Deo Singh, a participant in the original strike in 1991, reflected on the emotional significance of the day, stating that it marked the conclusion of a painful chapter of mistreatment for the workers.
The president of the Fiji Mine Workers Union, Joseva Sadreu, expressed gratitude to Mr. Rabuka for his acknowledgment and apologies, emphasizing that their long struggle for rights and dignity was finally being recognized.