More than 30 years of waiting for a resolution to the Vatukoula mine workers’ dispute has raised concerns over delays in the justice system, with Livai Boginivalu telling the Joint Parliamentary Special Committee that many workers have died while waiting for the matter to be resolved.
Boginivalu raised the issue during the Constitution Amendment Bill’s public consultation at Wailotua Village Hall in Wainibuka.
He says he was one of the workers involved in the Vatukoula strike and claims the workers were told they had won their case, but the matter remained unresolved for decades.
Government compensation payments are now progressing for former Vatukoula mine workers and their families following the strike that began on 27th February 1991.
The Government has allocated $9.2 million for the compensation programme, with 298 beneficiaries having received their full entitlement of $25,000 each, totalling $7.485 million.
Permanent Secretary for Employment, Productivity and Workplace Relations Maritino Nemani handed over payments to 13 former mine workers and beneficiaries.
Seven received their cheques during the presentation, while the remaining six are expected to be paid in the new financial year after administrative and entitlement checks are completed.
A further $1.515 million remains to be distributed to 63 beneficiaries, including people awaiting their full entitlement and estates undergoing probate.
Five beneficiaries who had received an initial payment of $10,000 before their deaths are also owed the remaining $15,000 each.
These payments will be released to their estates once probate procedures are completed.
He also calls for the complete removal of immunity provisions in the Constitution, saying the issue affects everyone.
Boginivalu raises the situation involving Apete Naitini and appeals for the law to be reviewed and clarified.
On the selection of the President, he recommends that the person chosen should be between 60 and 70 years old.
He says the President must be strong enough to carry out the responsibilities of the office and travel around Fiji to engage with people.
Boginivalu also proposes that traditional chiefs be selected through the Great Council of Chiefs, with each yavusa given the opportunity to choose its own chief.
He says the people within each yavusa should be heard and their decisions respected, as traditional leaders play an important role in representing their people.
Boginivalu says these issues need to be carefully considered as the proposed constitutional amendments are discussed.
