22 May 2014

Vanuatu fishers claims in court

4:29 pm on 22 May 2014

A long-running multi million dollar claim by the Vanuatu Fishermen's Association is due to be heard in court tomorrow.

The association is seeking about 10 million US dollars in outstanding wages for about 11-hundred fishers from more than 20 years ago.

It says the government assured them it would cover the wages after the company shut down.

A Commission of Inquiry recommended the government pay the fishers but the former prime minister Moana Carcasses proposed another committee to re-look into the affair.

The association's administrator Remy Kunuan says it wants the Supreme Court to decide on the legality of these moves.

"I'm trying my best to find justice in our country. I know, (it is) my belief, this government will settle our problem."

Mr Kunuan is urging supporters and families of the fishermen, many of whom have died, to come and listen to the case.