The Fiji Labour Party is expressing concern over the prolonged delay in addressing longstanding staff grievances at the University of the South Pacific (USP), which has led to ongoing tensions 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 valid and supported by an independent report presented to the USP Council in November 2023 regarding the performance of Vice Chancellor Pal Ahluwalia.
In a Special Council meeting in September 2024, it was agreed that an independent inquiry would be established to investigate the issues, but the terms of reference for this inquiry have yet to be finalized. The independent inquiry report was anticipated to be delivered to the Council Meeting in November 2024, but this is now unlikely. Unions suspect that the delay is intentional, given that the Council Secretariat answers to the Vice Chancellor.
The unions are calling for the suspension of the Vice Chancellor to ensure an unobstructed independent investigation. Chaudhry noted that the dispute at USP has persisted since 2021 and requires a prompt resolution.
Serious accusations have emerged regarding mismanagement, abuse of office, promotion irregularities, and even claims of corrupt practices. Approximately 150 members of the Association of the University of the South Pacific Staff (AUSPS) and some from the University of the South Pacific Staff Union (USPSU) participated in a strike on Friday, demanding the termination of Vice Chancellor Ahluwalia.
Additionally, the striking staff are seeking the reinstatement of AUSPS President Dr. Tamara Osbrne-Nakatini, who had her contract terminated in July for allegedly speaking to the media about the ongoing disputes at the university.
Allegations directed at the Vice Chancellor include a reduction in staff numbers to cut costs, which has led to an increased workload for remaining staff, and a push for more online courses despite preference among students for on-campus instruction. There are over 300 vacant positions that need to be addressed.
Staff have also questioned the significant increase in the per diem rate for Suva, which has jumped from $200 to $600, a rate the Vice Chancellor reportedly awarded himself. Despite being instructed by the Council to move to Fiji, the Vice Chancellor has not occupied the vacant official residence at the Laucala campus and has instead chosen to stay in expensive hotels, according to union claims.
Chaudhry expressed surprise that, amid the current crisis at USP, the Vice Chancellor and senior management are attending the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa.