From zero to ‘hero’ and from nothing to ‘something’! The Fiji Mine Workers union president Josefa Sadreu said this after the Coalition Government heard their plight and announced a total of $9.2 million payout for the 368 Vatukoula Gold Mine workers who were on strike for 33 years.
Mr Sadreu said the members had gone through trying times within their families and withstand challenges but came out victorious after a 33-year battle.
The Fiji Trade Union Congress (FTUC) general secretary Felix Anthony thanked the Government for resolving the toughest battle to what the International Labour Organization (ILO) has labelled as the world’s longest strike.
The families of striking workers could not control their emotions after the payout announcement.
“When it was announced during the Budget, I went to my room and could not hold the emotions I had,” a 41-year-old miner Paula Vukunisiga of Naloto Village in Verata, Tailevu said.
