Fiji Labour Party leader Mahendra Chaudhary has raised concerns about the University of the South Pacific’s Vice-Chancellor, Pal Ahluwalia, traveling to Samoa during the ongoing crisis at the institution. Chaudhary visited striking union members at the Laucala Campus yesterday.
“The Fiji Labour Party is questioning the delay in addressing long-standing staff grievances at USP, which has led to the current standoff between USP management and its unions,” Chaudhary stated. He noted that despite Council orders for the Vice-Chancellor to relocate to Fiji, he has yet to move into the official residence at the Laucala campus. The dispute has persisted since 2021 and needs to be resolved promptly, with serious allegations of mismanagement, abuse of office, irregularities in promotions, and potential corrupt practices.
Chaudhary asserted that the allegations against Ahluwalia are valid, as they were supported by an independent report released last November. The strike has now entered its third day.