Mahendra Chaudhary, leader of the Fiji Labour Party, 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. Chaudhary visited union members who are on strike at the Laucala Campus, stating that the Fiji Labour Party is questioning the delays in addressing long-standing staff grievances that have led to the current standoff between USP management and its unions.
Chaudhary pointed out that, despite the Council’s directive for the vice-chancellor to relocate to Fiji, he has yet to move into the official residence at the Laucala campus. The dispute at USP, which has persisted since 2021, needs to be resolved promptly, according to Chaudhary. He highlighted serious allegations of mismanagement, abuse of office, irregularities in promotions, and corrupt practices.
Chaudhary claimed that the allegations against Ahluwalia are credible, as they were supported by an independent report released last November. The strike has now entered its third day.