It was a joyous day for the family members of the Vatukoula Mine Workers who were affected by the 1991 Vatukoula Strike as they received their payments from the Minister for Employment Agni Deo Singh.
While officiating at the handover, Singh says this is a very special day, and it has all come about because of the resilience and faith in member as they have been waiting for 33 years.
He said when they came into office, they decided that they are going to put back all those structures and rights that belong to the people.
The Minister says everybody in this country is one big family, and nobody must be left behind.
The Minister adds the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance have agreed and made sure that the $9.02 million is put aside and to be paid to members in the next two years.
Singh urges the families to put the money to good use and not to waste it on other things that will not benefit their lives.
On Friday, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka handed over a cheque of $3.6 million to the Vatukoula Gold Mine Workers Union, marking the first payment of $10,000 to each miner.
An additional $15,000 will be paid out from the 2025-2026 budget, bringing this long-pending issue to a rightful close.
