Nemani honours the enduring legacy of the Girmitiyas

The Permanent Secretary for Employment, Productivity and Workplace Relations, Jone Maritino Nemani, has paid tribute to the Girmitiyas, saying their sacrifice, resilience, and struggle helped lay the foundation for the labour protections and worker rights that Fijians benefit from today.

In his message marking Fiji’s 147th Girmit Day, Nemani said the story of Girmit is not simply a chapter of Fiji’s history, but a powerful reminder of why governments, employers, and workers must remain united in ensuring exploitation is never allowed to take root again.

Nemani said the arrival of the first Girmitiyas aboard the Leonidas on May 14, 1879 marked the beginning of a painful chapter where thousands of men, women, and children endured harsh working conditions, separation from loved ones, and significant uncertainty as they laboured to build new lives in Fiji.

“Today, we honour the courage of the Girmitiyas, the men and women who endured unimaginable hardship, yet through resilience, faith, and determination helped build the foundations of the Fiji we know today,” Nemani said.

“Their story is not only one of sacrifice. It is also a story of dignity, perseverance, and ultimately the awakening of an important truth, that every worker deserves to be treated fairly, safely, and with respect.”

Nemani said many of the labour standards and protections now embedded in Fiji’s employment framework were shaped by hard lessons from history.

He said the suffering of the Girmitiyas serves as a permanent reminder that workers must never again be subjected to exploitation, unsafe working conditions, unfair treatment, or abuse of power.

“As a Ministry entrusted with protecting workers, promoting productivity, and ensuring fair employment practices, we carry that responsibility every single day, fully mindful of the sacrifices made by those who came before us. The story of the Girmitiyas serves as a constant reminder that behind every job, every workplace, and every industry are people, families, and communities whose dignity must always be protected,” he said.

“We must actively ensure that the painful lessons of the Girmit era are never forgotten, and that no worker in Fiji, regardless of who they are or where they come from, is ever subjected to exploitation, unsafe conditions, or unfair treatment. That responsibility belongs to all of us, government, employers, workers, and society as a whole.”

He urged all employers, workers, unions, and stakeholders to continue working together to protect the dignity of labour and preserve the values of fairness, justice, and respect that the Girmitiyas fought for through their sacrifice.

“May the Girmit flame continue to guide us, not only as a symbol of resilience, but as a constant reminder that the dignity of every worker must always be protected,” he said.