Three Cabinet Ministers are set to hold a special meeting next week to address the ongoing situation at the University of the South Pacific’s Laucala Bay Campus. Aseri Radrodro, the Minister for Education, announced his plans for the meeting while on a ministerial visit to the Lau Group.
The University Staff and Support Staff Union (USPU) along with the Association of USP Staff (AUSPS) received a mandate on Wednesday to initiate a strike aimed at the removal of the university’s Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Pal Ahluwalia. A secret ballot conducted by the Ministry of Employment, Productivity, and Industrial Relations revealed that over 90 percent of union members are in favor of dismissing Professor Ahluwalia.
With more than 550 members registered, the unions have criticized Professor Ahluwalia for his governance, specifically regarding staff welfare.
In this upcoming meeting, Radrodro will be joined by Agni Deo Singh, the Minister for Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations, and Finance Minister Biman Prasad. Radrodro has tasked the permanent secretary with organizing the meeting agenda, stating, “Upon my return to Suva next week, we’ll be convening a meeting with the three Ministers. Minister for Labour, Deputy Prime Minister Prasad and myself will discuss the situation at USP.”