Fiji academic calls for reparations from Australia and UK for the abuse of Girmitiyas
The Vice Chancellor for the University of Fiji, Shaista Shameem, is calling on the Australian and British governments to consider paying reparations for the exploitation and displacement of Indo-Fijians more than a century ago.
Known as the Girmitiyas – the indentured labourers were known to have endured immense hardships - with thousands of families coerced by British authorities to migrate to Fiji between 1879 and 1916 to work as cheap labour on plantations that primarily served Australia's sugar industry.
Work conditions were harsh, with long working hours, social restrictions and low wages.
'I think it's time to talk about reparations,' said Ms Shameem.
'An apology is not enough…(reparations) that's the only thing that matters to people because they suffered.'
'The Australian government made a lot of money'
Although it was the decision of the British government to initiate the indentured labour system which saw tens of thousands of Indian families migrate to colonies around the world, Ms Shameem says it was the Australian government and sugar industry that benefited the most.
'If it wasn't for the CSR, you wouldn't have Girmitiyas in Fiji…that's the Colonial Sugar Refinery of Australia,' said Ms Shameem.
'They owned the sugar mills in Fiji and made huge profits that were repatriated to Australia…Australia acquired a lot of wealth because of that,
'Restitution and reparation need to go hand and hand with apology ,' she added.
'Girmit Day' celebrated in Fiji
Girmit Day was marked today in Fiji with a public holiday to honour the Girmitiyas. Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka delivered a speech at a special gathering in which he acknowledged injustices of the indentured labour system.
'Over sixty thousand men, women and children were brought under an oppressive system of bonded labourers, working in very uncertain and often inhuman conditions on plantations in Fiji,' said Prime Minister Rabuka.
'It was a totally different time, people were very badly treated…the Girmitiyas toiled in the fields in very harsh conditions to make this country – a colony than – a better place,' he added.
Aside from the sombre commemoration services, Girmit Day is also a time of celebration. Over the weekend, Indo-Fijian cultural displays and performances were held all around the country, celebrating the unique Indo-Fijian identity.
"It's a very rich culture," said Ms Shameem.
"Language, clothing and food has uniquely developed...independent of India," she added.
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