More than 200 employees at the University of the South Pacific staged a protest outside the Vice-Chancellor’s office, demanding the immediate suspension of Professor Pal Ahluwalia. This action follows a decision by the USP Council to launch an investigation regarding the situation.
The Association of USP Staff and the USP Staff Union have called for Professor Ahluwalia’s removal due to ongoing grievances related to his leadership, which include serious governance concerns and the recent termination of AUSPS President Dr. Tamara Osbourne-Naikatini, who joined the protest.
Staff Union President Reuben Colata informed members via email that the university plans to take legal action against the Permanent Secretary for Employment, Jone Maretino Nemani, in response to permission granted for the unions to conduct their protest demanding the Vice-Chancellor’s ousting.
Colata emphasized that the strike would continue, with a mandate allowing action until February 16, marking six months since August 16 when the strike was authorized by 95 percent of staff in Fiji.
The university has indicated that a statement will be released later today. Currently, Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Pal Ahluwalia is in Vanuatu. A USP Council meeting is scheduled for next month on November 24-25 in the Cook Islands.