Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has assured the Fiji Mine Workers Union, its members, and their families of the People’s Coalition Government’s support for the Vatukoula Strike Payout.
During his visit to Vatukoula over the weekend, Rabuka acknowledged that while it has taken more than three decades, there is now hope on the horizon.
“Last week, the Coalition Government, through the Ministry of Employment, Productivity, and Industrial Relations, signed the final agreement on the Vatukoula Strike Payout with the union,” he stated.
“Under the agreement, each miner will receive $10,000 as compensation by August 2024, with an additional payment of $15,000 scheduled for next year,” he added.
He noted that the events of 1991 had a significant impact on many lives—some of the affected miners have since passed away, some have returned to their villages, and a few have chosen to remain in Vatukoula.
Out of the 368 miners involved, 183 have died while 185 are still living.