Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has empowered Education Minister Aseri Radrodro to convene a meeting of the University of the South Pacific (USP) Council to discuss the issues raised by the USP staff unions. In a statement shared on social media, Rabuka noted that both the Association of USP Staff and the USP Staff Union are following the protocols for a strike as outlined in the Employment Relations Act 2007.
As the fifth day of the strike by the USP unions concludes without a resolution, the Prime Minister mentioned that all student support services at the USP Laucala Campus are functioning normally, with contributions from non-union staff and union members who have opted not to participate in the strike.
Earlier, Opposition Leader Inia Seruiratu urged the Government to take strong action to resolve the ongoing dispute between USP and the staff unions. He emphasized that the Government must not remain passive while the future of students and the region is jeopardized and called for decisive leadership on the matter. Additionally, Seruiratu requested the immediate suspension of Vice-Chancellor and USP President Professor Pal Ahluwalia to facilitate investigations into the unions’ demands, highlighting the seriousness of the situation as it coincides with the upcoming assessments for USP students.