The Fiji Labour Party is raising concerns over the protracted delay in addressing longstanding staff grievances at the University of the South Pacific (USP), which has led to a standoff between the university’s management and its unions.
Labour Leader Mahendra Chaudhry, who met with striking USP staff this morning, stated that the unions’ claims are credible and supported by an independent report submitted to the USP Council in November 2023 regarding Vice Chancellor Pal Ahluwalia’s performance.
During a Special Council meeting in September 2024, a decision was made to establish an independent inquiry to investigate the issues, but the terms of reference for this inquiry have yet to be finalized.
Originally, the independent inquiry report was expected to be presented at the Council Meeting in November 2024, but it now appears that this timeline may not be met. The unions suspect that the delay is intentional, given that the Council Secretariat answers to the Vice Chancellor.
The unions are requesting the suspension of the Vice Chancellor to ensure that the independent investigation can proceed without interference.
Chaudhry noted that the dispute at USP has been ongoing since 2021 and requires a prompt resolution. He highlighted serious allegations of mismanagement, abuse of office, irregularities in promotions, and potential corrupt practices.
Around 150 members from the Association of the University of the South Pacific Staff (AUSPS) and some members of the University of the South Pacific Staff Union (USPSU) participated in a strike on Friday, calling for the termination of Vice Chancellor Ahluwalia’s position.
Additionally, they are demanding the reinstatement of AUSPS president Dr. Tamara Osborne-Nakatini, whose contract was terminated in July after she spoke to the media about the USP dispute.
Allegations against the Vice Chancellor include staff reductions aimed at cutting costs, which have overloaded remaining personnel, and a push for more online courses despite student preferences for on-campus classes. There are over 300 vacant positions that need to be filled.
Staff have also questioned the significant increase in the per diem rate for Suva, which the Vice Chancellor awarded himself, rising from $200 to $600. Although the Council mandated that he relocate to Fiji, the Vice Chancellor has not moved into the vacant official residence at the Laucala campus and instead prefers to stay in costly hotels, according to the unions.
Chaudhry expressed surprise that, amid the ongoing crisis at USP, the Vice Chancellor and senior management are attending the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa.
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