Three Cabinet Ministers are set to hold a special meeting next week to address issues at the University of the South Pacific (USP) Laucala Bay Campus. Minister for Education Aseri Radrodro, currently touring the Lau Group, announced his plans regarding this meeting to the media.
The University Staff and Support Staff Union (USPU) and the Association of USP Staff (AUSPS) received authorization on Wednesday for a strike aimed at the removal of 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 voted in favor of dismissing Professor Ahluwalia.
The unions have accused Professor Ahluwalia of insufficient governance concerning staff welfare, with more than 550 individuals now registered as union members.
The upcoming meeting will include Minister for Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations Agni Deo Singh and Minister for Finance Biman Prasad alongside Mr. Radrodro. “I have requested the permanent secretary to organize the agenda for the meeting,” Mr. Radrodro stated. He further mentioned that upon his return to Suva next week, the three Ministers will convene to discuss the situation at USP.