More than 200 staff members of the University of the South Pacific gathered outside the Office of the Vice-Chancellor to demand the immediate suspension of Professor Pal Ahluwalia. This protest comes in light of a recent decision by the USP Council to launch an investigation into issues surrounding his leadership.
The Association of USP Staff and the USP Staff Union have both called for Professor Ahluwalia’s removal, citing unresolved grievances that include significant governance concerns and the recent dismissal of Dr. Tamara Osbourne-Naikatini, the President of AUSPS, who participated in the strike.
Reuben Colata, the President of the Staff Union, announced that an email had been sent to all USP staff, indicating that USP plans to take the Permanent Secretary for Employment, Jone Maretino Nemani, to court. This legal action is seen as a response to the Ministry of Employment’s decision that allowed the unions to proceed with their strike action demanding the Vice-Chancellor’s removal.
Colata confirmed that the strike will continue, as they have a mandate to do so through February 16, making it six months from their initial strike vote on August 16, which saw 95 percent support from staff in Fiji. USP is set to release a statement later today.
Currently, Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Pal Ahluwalia is in Vanuatu. A USP Council Meeting is scheduled for November 24-25 in the Cook Islands.