The Coalition Government will continue to promote decent work and social justice and ensure workers’ rights are well protected at all times.
Minister for Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations Agni Deo Singh highlighted this during a meeting with the Fiji Trade Union Congress and Vatukoula Gold Mine Workers Union on the execution of the 1991 Vatukoula strike $9.2million payout in Lautoka recently.
“The strike devastated the lives and livelihoods of many miners over the last three decades,” Mr Singh said.
He said families were shattered, many struggled to afford a decent meal, while parents could not afford to send their children to school and there was no money to look after the sick and elderly.
“Some 183 workers who went on strike have passed while 185 are still around,” Mr Singh said.
“The Coalition Government together with FTUC and Fiji Mine Workers Union have finally reached a resolution with a total payout of $9.2m over two years.”
Mr Singh added each of the 368 mining workers on strike would be paid $25,000 with the first $10,000 paid from this budget and the remainder of $15,000 paid from the 2025-2026 budget.
“Today, the ministry is here with the union executives meeting and working on the execution of the payout and final settlement through the signing of the agreement.”
Mr Singh acknowledged FTUC national secretary Felix Anthony for his support and collaboration with the Government in bringing closure to this major injustice inflicted upon mine workers for many years.