THREE families who lost their loved ones in a mishap at sea in 2012 were provided compensation through the assistance of the Workers Compensation Unit at the Labour Ministry.
The family members of former Public Works Department workers were granted $24,000 in the form of compensation for the loss of lives of their sons and brothers while at work on December 1, 2012.
The Minister for Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment Mr Jone Usamate, while handing over the cheque to Jone Dualase’s family, said no amount of money can replace the loss of life of loved ones.
“However, Government will do what it can to assist the people and under the law we are able to provide this compensation,” he said.
The deceased’s mother Leba Josese could not hold back her tears as the Minister handed over the cheque to her.
Dualase’s sister, Salanieta Raikabula said her brother was only 20 years old when he passed away and had a real passion for rugby.
“This past two years the truth that my brother will never come back had not sunk in since the body was never recovered,” she said.
“Jone was mum’s favourite so it has really affected her but when she received the call to pick up the compensation cheque, she finally came to terms that he will not come back.”
Jone, together with Alipate Tarainaqara and Josaia Tiko, were part of a group of seven who boarded a boat in Levuka, Ovalau and were headed back to Batiki island when their boat capsized.
All three perished as a result of the fatal incident.
The families of Mr Tarainaqara and Mr Tiko will receive the same amount that will be divided between the parents and unmarried siblings.
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