We call upon all Fijians to reflect on our shared history, to walk humbly with memory, and to stand boldly for justice and reconciliation.
As the country commemorates Girmit Day today, SODELPA says time should be taken to honour the enduring spirit and sacrifice of the thousands of indentured labourers who were brought to Fiji between 1879 and 1916.
The party says these men, women, and children — taken from India, China, the Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu — were subjected to unspeakable hardship under a system that bore the marks of slavery and colonial exploitation.
SODELPA says they were stripped of their homeland, separated from their families, and denied their dignity — but they persevered with courage, resilience, and faith.
The party is reminding people not to forget the brutality of that era and to acknowledge their remarkable contribution to the development of modern Fiji.
They say that the legacy of the indentured labourers lives on in the descendants who continue to enrich Fiji through their labour, their values, and their heritage.
SODELPA says that today should not only be a day of remembrance — but a reaffirmation of our collective duty to heal the wounds of the past and build a future rooted in dignity, equity, and unity.
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