Minister’s Welcoming Statement

Bula Vinaka and Namaste!
Welcome to the official page of the 2025 Girmit Commemoration Event. Girmit Day is a time for reflection, remembrance, and unity as we honour the legacy of the Girmityas – the indentured labourers whose strength, sacrifice, and resilience helped shape modern Fiji.
The Coalition Government remains committed to honoring the legacy of the Girmityas, and as part of this commitment, Girmit Day has been officially recognized as a public holiday since the past three years. This day is dedicated to pays tribute to the profound contributions of the Girmityas and their descendants to Fiji’s economic social and cultural development.

This year, the Ministry of Multi-Ethnic Affairs and Sugar Industry is proud to host the National Girmit Commemoration event from 10th to 12th May 2025 at Subrail Park in Labasa, with an additional event planned for 11th May, 2025 in Savusavu. This year marks the 146th anniversary of the arrival of the first Indian indentured laborers in Fiji. Hosting this event in the Northern Division will provide an opportunity for the people Northern Division to participate in the celebrations, just as those in the Central Division in 2023, and the Western Division last year when the main event was held in Lautoka’s Girmit Centre. The theme for this year, “Preserving the Past, Envisioning the Future,” reflects our commitment to remembering the struggles and achievements of the Girmityas while fostering a future of unity, reconciliation, and progress. The story of Girmit is not just an Indo-Fijian experience but a fundamental part of Fiji’s collective history and a reminder of our nation’s strength in diversity.
We invite all Fijians to come together in honouring the legacy of the Indian indentured laborers and those who came after them. Let us celebrate their rich cultural heritage while embracing a shared vision for a united and inclusive future.
Vinaka vakalevu. Dhanyavaad. Thank you.