Fiji has invoked its authority as a member of the University of the South Pacific Council, requesting the Council to convene a Special Council Meeting, which is set to take place later this month.
In an interview, Minister for Education Aseri Radrodro stated that he had sent a letter to the USP Council Secretariat following discussions with Minister for Finance Professor Biman Prasad and Minister for Employment Agni Deo Singh.
Radrodro mentioned that the meeting was overseen by Deputy Prime Minister Viliame Gavoka, who was acting as Prime Minister at that time. The Secretariat subsequently responded with suggested dates in September for the meeting.
The Minister indicated that he has not yet met with representatives from the two USP Unions but acknowledged their concerns, which he has included in the proposal for the upcoming meeting.
“I hope that good sense will prevail in terms of understanding the situation we are in. The University is a regional institution, and since its headquarters is in Fiji, we are also aware that most of the staff members are Fiji citizens. This is why we are exercising our powers to call for the Special Council Meeting,” Radrodro remarked.