The University of the South Pacific has not yet addressed the requests from two Staff Unions demanding the removal of Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Pal Ahluwalia. The strike by members of the Association of the University of the South Pacific Staff and the USP Staff Union is ongoing.
Last Friday, over 200 USP staff members staged a protest outside the Vice-Chancellor’s Office, seeking his removal due to unresolved grievances regarding his leadership. These issues include significant governance problems and the recent termination of AUSPS President Dr. Tamara Osbourne-Naikatini.
In response to the strike, USP plans to pursue legal action against the ruling of the Permanent Secretary of Employment regarding the protest. The university has warned employees participating in the strike that they will not receive pay for the duration of the protest. Additionally, it is reported that Professor Pal Ahluwalia is currently out of the country.