Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has directed Minister for Education Aseri Radrodro to convene a meeting of the University of the South Pacific (USP) Council to discuss the grievances raised by the USP staff unions. In a statement on social media, Rabuka noted that both the Association of USP Staff and the USP Staff Union are following the protocols for a strike as outlined in the Employment Relations Act 2007.
As the unions’ strike enters its fifth day without resolution, the Prime Minister confirmed that all student support services at the USP Laucala Campus are functioning normally, thanks to the dedication of staff who are not part of the union or who have opted not to participate in the strike.
Earlier, Opposition Leader Inia Seruiratu urged the Government to take strong actions to resolve the ongoing standoff between USP and the two staff unions. He emphasized that the Government must not remain passive, as the future of students and the region is at stake.
Seruiratu also called for the immediate suspension of Vice-Chancellor and USP President Professor Pal Ahluwalia to facilitate an investigation into the unions’ demands, pointing out the gravity of the situation especially as it coincides with the upcoming student assessments.
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