Three Cabinet Ministers are set to hold a special meeting next week to address concerns at the University of the South Pacific (USP) Laucala Bay Campus. Minister for Education Aseri Radrodro, currently touring the Lau Group, announced his plans for the meeting.
The University Staff and Support Staff Union (USPU) and the Association of USP Staff (AUSPS) have recently secured a mandate for a strike aimed at the removal of Professor Pal Ahluwalia, the Vice-Chancellor and President of the university. In a secret ballot conducted on Wednesday, over 90 percent of union members voted in favor of his dismissal.
The Ministry of Employment, Productivity, and Industrial Relations facilitated the secret ballot process, which saw more than 550 individuals sign up as members. The unions have accused Professor Ahluwalia of poor governance regarding staff welfare.
Minister for Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations Agni Deo Singh and Minister for Finance Biman Prasad will join Mr. Radrodro in this meeting. “I have requested the permanent secretary to organize the agenda for the meeting,” Mr. Radrodro stated. “Upon my return to Suva next week, we will convene discussions with the three Ministers regarding the situation at USP.”