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Thursday, 22nd February 2007 (2060 views)

Ex mine workers at the Emperor gold facility in Fiji are due to receive their final redundancy payments this week, reports have claimed.

Emperor is due to splash out five million Fijian dollars (£1.5 million)more in redundancy payments, despite claiming it has already paid some F$4.5 million to the 1,700 workers laid off at the gold mine last December.

Hourly paid workers at the site have already received a week's notice pay, while other staff have received two months' notice. Redundancy costs of an extra seven weeks pay have also been given to hourly paid workers.

Frazer Bourchier, Vatukoula's general manager, told the Fiji Times: "We have been paying consistently in weekly instalments ever since that date to all employees made redundant."

Meanwhile, the interim government has done all it can to help as well, redirecting F$600,000 to fund a rehabilitation scheme, including farming, self-employment, small business development and helping workers with skills training and other livelihood opportunities.

Emperor apparently plans to sell the mine at Vatukoula, which the government claims it is within its rights to do.

The Fiji Times reported the government stating: "Government respects the right of [Emperor] to sell its business. However they must first meet all obligations as described in the negotiating package between [Emperor] and government."

 

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