THE lingering impact of the 1991 Fiji Mine Workers Union strike and the progress of compensation payouts were the focus of discussions between Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and union representatives at a press event in Tavua this week.
Fiji Media Association general secretary Stanley Simpson questioned the Prime Minister for the delay in resolving the issue, and that the strike remained unresolved through multiple successive governments. Mr Rabuka confirmed that progress had been made under the current government.
“Those remaining workers here tonight, and those that attended the first meeting we had some time ago, will remember that we came at the time to announce the resolution of various issues raised then, and also to announce the compensation amount the Government was prepared to give to each household,” he said.
Mr Rabuka said that payments were also being made.
“You will know that you have received the first payment and also the second payment.
“Those that have not received theirs, I believe the ministry is waiting for some court action for you to go through the legal processes of claiming.”
Fiji Mine Workers Union president Joseva Sadreu raised the issue of assistance for the workers.
“Is there any possibility for the resettlement of the members of the mine workers’ union as rehabilitation by the Government?” he said.
Mr Sadreu also asked the Government to clarify what assistance could be provided to help with the relocation of the mine workers.
Employment Ministry acting permanent secretary Atish Kumar addressed the payment and resettlement issues.
“In terms of the 1991 Vatukoula strike, we have cleared the payments but, of course, those who have not submitted their legal documents and probates, we’re still assisting the families, we’re still assisting them to ensure the Government and, of course, as part of the process, we pay to the dependents of the deceased legally correct,” he said.
“So we are currently assisting the families in that.”
