Fiji Labour Party leader Mahendra Chaudhary has raised concerns about the travel of the University of the South Pacific’s vice-chancellor, Pal Ahluwalia, to Samoa during the ongoing crisis at the university. Chaudhary visited striking union members at the Laucala Campus yesterday.
He expressed his party’s concerns regarding the protracted investigation into longstanding staff grievances at the university, which has led to a standoff between USP management and its unions. Chaudhary pointed out that although the Council had instructed the vice-chancellor to relocate to Fiji, he has not yet moved into the official residence on the Laucala campus.
The dispute at USP has been ongoing since 2021, and Chaudhary emphasized the need for a swift resolution. He mentioned serious allegations of mismanagement, abuse of office, irregularities in promotions, and even corruption. According to Chaudhary, the claims against Ahluwalia are credible, supported by an independent report released last November. The strike has now entered its third day.