Good news for the families of close to 1700 workers who were laid off as a result of the shutting down of the Vatukoula Gold mines in 2006, as the Government has just announced the workers will be receiving their first deposit of $1.6 million this month.
Permanent Secretary for Lands, Maria Matavewa has revealed that the new owners of the mines, Vatukoula Gold Mining Limited have agreed to the setting up of a trust fund which will see the families receiving a total of $6 million over the next five years.
According to Matavewa, this money will be channeled into a trust fund and then the Board of Trustees will decide on the type of assistance to be given out to the beneficiaries.
However, Matavewa stresses that this money is only for those that were affected by the closure of the mines in 2006 and not those laid off earlier.
The Trust fund will be overseen by a 10 member panel that includes two trustees from the families of those affected. The panel will be appointed at the end of the month.
Good news for former miners
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