Fiji begins $1m digitisation of girmit records

The Ministry for Multi-Ethnic Affairs, Heritage and Arts has completed the first phase of its girmit record digitisation project, aimed at preserving historical records dating back to 1879.

Line minister Charan Jeath Singh said the full project would cost approximately $1 million.

Mr Singh said phase two would ensure that all physical girmit records from 1879, when the first indentured labourers arrived in Fiji, were digitised and made accessible to the public.

“The records which were written back in 1879 are lying with Fiji Archives and the record papers have become so brittle that if someone wants to read this information, might end up tearing pieces of history due to its vulnerability to tear,” Mr Singh said.

He said the project aimed to preserve the records for future generations of Indo-Fijians to learn about the history of their ancestors.

“We have taken advice from an Australian University, from Mauritius who have gone through the process of transforming physical records into digital data,” he said.

The first phase involved consultants preparing the digital platform format that would be used to upload the records.

The ministry funded the first phase of the digitisation process through the 2025/2026 National Budget.

Mr Singh said phase two is expected to be completed by the end of next year, subject to funding approval in the 2026/2027 National Budget.