Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has reassured the Fiji Mine Workers Union, its members, and their families of the Peoples’ Coalition Government’s support for the Vatukoula Strike Payout.
During his visit to Vatukoula over the weekend, Rabuka acknowledged that although it has taken more than three decades, there is now light at the end of the tunnel.
“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 said.
Under the agreement, each miner will receive $10,000 as compensation by August 2024, with an additional payment of $15,000 reserved for next year.
Rabuka noted that the events of 1991 had devastated many lives. Some affected individuals have since passed away, some have returned to their villages, and a few have decided to remain in Vatukoula.
Out of the 368 miners involved, 183 have deceased, while 185 remain.