Fiji Labour Party leader Mahendra Chaudhary has raised concerns regarding the travel of the University of the South Pacific’s vice-chancellor, Pal Ahluwalia, to Samoa during the ongoing crisis at the institution. Mr. Chaudhary visited striking union members at the Laucala Campus yesterday.
He criticized the delay in addressing long-standing staff complaints at USP, which have resulted in the current tensions between the university’s management and its unions. “The Fiji Labour Party is questioning the delay in investigating the long-standing staff grievances at USP which has culminated in the current stand-off between USP management and its unions,” he stated.
Mr. Chaudhary noted that despite a directive from the Council for the vice-chancellor to relocate to Fiji, Mr. Ahluwalia has not yet moved into the official residence at the Laucala campus. The dispute at USP has been ongoing since 2021 and requires urgent resolution. He highlighted serious allegations of mismanagement, abuse of office, irregularities in promotions, and potential corrupt practices.
He also asserted that the claims against Mr. Ahluwalia are valid, as they were supported by an independent report from last November. The strike has now entered its third day.