Government pays $7.48m in compensation to former Vatukoula mine workers

More than 300 former Vatukoula mine workers and their families have received Government compensation for Fiji's longest-running industrial dispute, with over $7.48 million already paid out.

The Ministry of Employment, Productivity and Workplace Relations said the compensation programme, funded through a $9.2 million Government allocation, continued last week with Permanent Secretary Jone Maritino Nemani presenting compensation payments to another 13 former workers and beneficiaries.

Seven beneficiaries received their compensation, while payments for the remaining six will be processed in the new financial year.

The payments are part of Government's commitment to compensate former Vatukoula mine workers and their families following the industrial dispute that began on February 27, 1991, and lasted more than 33 years.

So far, 298 beneficiaries have each received their full entitlement of $25,000, bringing total payments to $7.485 million.

Five beneficiaries had earlier received an initial payment of $10,000 before their deaths. The remaining $15,000 will be paid to their estates once probate processes are completed.

The ministry said $1.515 million remained to be paid to 63 beneficiaries, including those awaiting their full entitlement and estates pending probate.

Mr Nemani said the compensation programme represented more than financial assistance.

"The programme is about more than financial assistance—it is about recognising the resilience of former workers and ensuring families finally receive the acknowledgement and support they have waited decades for," he said.

He said each payment reflected Government's commitment to working with affected families to bring a difficult chapter in Fiji's industrial history to a respectful conclusion.

"Each payment reflects the Government's commitment to working with affected families to bring this long chapter in Fiji's industrial history to a respectful and dignified close."