Members of the Fiji Mine Workers Union have received their first payment of $3.6 million following a striking dispute that lasted 33 years. The miners, who work at the Vatukoula Gold Mine in the Western Division, had been on strike since February 27, 1991, advocating against unfair employment practices.
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka presided over the compensation ceremony, emphasizing the miners’ battle for their rights and livelihoods. He acknowledged that the wait for justice has been excessively long and expressed regret for not addressing the issues sooner when he held ministerial authority.
The initial payment includes $10,000 for each worker, while an additional $15,000 per worker is scheduled to be disbursed from the 2025-2026 National Budget. Mr. Rabuka highlighted the profound impact of the strike, which devastated the lives of many miners and their families, leading to emotional and financial hardships.
During his speech, Mr. Rabuka conveyed heartfelt apologies to the workers and their families for the extended delay and recognized the sacrifices they made throughout the struggle.
Minister of Employment and Industrial Relations Agni Deo Singh, who participated in the original strike, reflected on the emotional significance of the day, noting that it marks an end to a lengthy period of suffering and mistreatment.
The president of the Fiji Mine Workers Union, Joseva Sadreu, expressed gratitude towards Mr. Rabuka, thanking him for the long-awaited financial support and highlighting the emotional victory for the miners after decades of fighting for their rights.