Opposition Leader Inia Seruiratu is urging the Fiji Government to take swift action to resolve the ongoing conflict between the University of the South Pacific (USP) and its two staff unions. In an interview, Seruiratu emphasized that the Government must not remain passive while the future of children and the region is compromised. He insisted that strong leadership is necessary during this critical time.
Seruiratu expressed that USP should maintain its reputation on the global stage as a leading institution that nurtures future leaders from the Pacific Islands and beyond. He supported the calls from the Association of USP Staff and the University of the South Pacific Staff Union for Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Pal Ahluwalia to temporarily step down while investigations into the issues at hand are conducted, stating that this request is reasonable.
The dispute has now entered its fifth day, with Seruiratu noting the seriousness of the situation, especially as it coincides with the assessment period for students at USP. He attributed the conflict to months of unresolved tensions between the management and staff, which could have been avoided if the university had been more receptive to employees’ concerns.
He criticized USP’s management for describing the strike as concerning issues that they believe do not fall under the current contracts and employment conditions. Seruiratu called for the management to involve the Council if they cannot address the striking staff’s concerns, reminding them that the Council is responsible for appointing the Vice-Chancellor.
He stressed that the standoff must not continue to hinder the education of children, and he called for a thorough investigation into the serious allegations raised by the staff association. He added that if claims regarding the non-renewal of contracts for valuable Pacific Islands academics at USP are true, it requires immediate action from all parties involved.
FijiLive has contacted the Minister for Education Aseri Radrodro and USP for their responses.