Three Cabinet Ministers will hold a special meeting next week to address the issues at the University of the South Pacific (USP) Laucala Bay Campus. Minister for Education Aseri Radrodro, who is currently on a ministerial tour of the Lau Group, announced this intention to the media.
On Wednesday, the University Staff and Support Staff Union (USPU) and the Association of USP Staff (AUSPS) received a mandate for a strike aimed at removing the university’s Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Pal Ahluwalia. A secret ballot conducted by the Ministry of Employment, Productivity, and Industrial Relations showed that over 90 percent of union members supported the motion for Professor Ahluwalia’s dismissal. Thus far, more than 550 individuals have joined as members of the unions.
The unions have claimed that Professor Ahluwalia has failed to demonstrate good governance in matters concerning staff welfare.
In addition to Minister Radrodro, Minister for Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations Agni Deo Singh, and Minister for Finance Biman Prasad will attend the upcoming meeting. Radrodro stated, “I have requested the permanent secretary to organize the agenda for the meeting. Upon my return to Suva next week, we’ll be convening a meeting with the three Ministers to discuss the situation at USP.”