Members of the University of the South Pacific Staff Union who are currently on strike have been asked to return to work following a directive from Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka. The Prime Minister has instructed Education Minister Aseri Radrodro to convene a council meeting.
Union president Reuben Colata expressed optimism about the situation, interpreting the Prime Minister’s call as an indication of the government’s commitment to resolving the ongoing issues. He noted that the ongoing support and encouragement from political parties and the Fiji Teachers Association have also been influential.
Colata mentioned that with the directive for staff to return to work now in place, they anticipate that Minister Radrodro will fulfill his responsibilities. He emphasized the need for progress, particularly concerning an investigation into Professor Pal Ahluwalia, stating, “We will want to see movements.”
He noted that the support from students has been pivotal, as they have recognized the challenges facing the university. The strike was initiated due to these challenges, buoyed by positive feedback from prominent leaders and council members in the region.
The future of the strike depends on the outcomes of the upcoming council meeting. If there are no satisfactory results, the union will reassess the situation with its members, whose mandate to strike remains valid until February 14, 2025.
“We hope that they will support what the PM has said to speed up this process, and we will wait to see the developments in the coming week,” Colata added.
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