Fiji Labour Party leader Mahendra Chaudhary has raised concerns about the University of the South Pacific’s vice-chancellor, Pal Ahluwalia, traveling to Samoa during the current unrest at the institution.
Chaudhary met with striking USP union members at the Laucala Campus yesterday. He criticized the delay in addressing long-standing staff grievances, which he believes has led to the ongoing standoff between USP management and its unions.
“Despite being instructed by the Council to move to Fiji, the vice-chancellor has yet to occupy the official residence at Laucala campus,” Chaudhary stated. He emphasized that the dispute at USP, which has persisted since 2021, needs to be resolved promptly. Serious allegations involving mismanagement, abuse of office, irregularities in promotions, and corrupt practices have been raised.
According to Chaudhary, the claims against Ahluwalia hold merit, as they were supported by an independent report released last November. The strike has now entered its third day.