Coalition Goverment resolves 33 years old dispute

23/05/2024

By DIPESH KUMAR
 
Coalition Goverment resolves 33 years old dispute

Hardship and challenges
Among the challenges presented to these workers, Mr Sadreau shared that broken families were one of the major concerns for them.
He shared that due to financial problems many families were left disheartened and broken.
Gable Beckham, 59, shared that every member of the union has a story to tell of their hardship during the 33 years.
He shared that even his own family lost hope in him, however, he believed in himself and had faith in God.
“My family, they sometimes lost trust in me. Some said you won’t make it. But I still had faith.”
“For the last 33 years we have suffered a lot. It was not an easy task waiting all these year for someone to respond to us.”

“My wife and I as well as my two daughters went through a lot of pain. We undertook farming to survive and also tried to run a business but it never went well for us.”
Sharing similar sentiments, Mariana Seiniucirokonai, 47, speaking on behalf of her late father wished that she could share her joy with him when she heard the news.

“I speak for the kids for the Fiji Mine Workers Union. Some of us didn’t fully complete our education. Some of us had to go without lunch. The struggle that we went through was really hard.”

“I only wish that my dad was here to celebrate with us. Both my parents have passed away. We had to go to school with one pair of uniform from Monday to Friday. We had to share everything and it was hard.”
Ms Seiniucirokonai shared that when she got the news about the settlement, their hopes were rekindled and they could fulfil their future plans.
 
Future plans
As the workers have settled on an agreement, they are now required to vacate the quarters occupied by them in Vatukoula.
Mr Sadreau shared that this poses a significant challenge to the workers as they need time to build their houses back in their villages.
He said that they have requested the Government to resolve the matter whereby they are not vacated until their houses are complete.

“Many of these families would want to move back to their villages and build their homes. We hope the Government relooks at this issue about the figures because these miners want to come out of Vatukoula, they want to buy a land and build a new house.”