Government Completes 83 Percent of Historic Vatukoula Settlement Payments

The Ministry of Employment, Productivity and Workplace Relations has completed 83 percent of payments under the historic Vatukoula settlement, with $7.5 million paid to 298 of the 361 eligible beneficiaries.

A total of $9.025 million was committed under the settlement, with the remaining $1.525 million set aside for 63 outstanding payments that are awaiting the completion of estate documentation.

Permanent Secretary Jone Maritino Nemani said the remaining payments were not being delayed due to eligibility concerns but because legal estate administration processes must first be completed.

"Every one of these 63 payments is approved and funded. What we need from families is the grant of probate or letters of administration so we can release the money to the right person," Mr Nemani said.

He encouraged affected families to contact the Ministry for assistance, saying officers were available to explain the documentation required and that there was no cost in seeking advice.

Of the remaining beneficiaries, 58 are awaiting their full $25,000 entitlement, while five beneficiaries had received an initial payment of $10,000 before their deaths, with the balance to be paid to their estates.

To help families complete the process, the Ministry has already processed 132 estate payments for deceased workers and established a temporary VGM processing unit to assist with documentation.

Families with outstanding entitlements have been urged to contact the Ministry for guidance and, where necessary, seek assistance through the Legal Aid Commission.

The Vatukoula settlement brings closure to a long-running trade dispute that began on 27 February 1991 and remained unresolved for 33 years before being settled by the Coalition Government.

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