Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has given approval for Education Minister Aseri Radrodro to convene a meeting of the University of the South Pacific (USP) Council to discuss the demands presented by the USP staff unions. In a statement on his social media, Rabuka noted that the Association of USP Staff and the USP Staff Union have adhered to the strike provisions outlined in the Employment Relations Act 2007.
As the strike by the USP unions enters its fifth day without a resolution, the Prime Minister reported that all student support services at USP’s Laucala Campus are functioning normally, staffed by both non-union members and union members who opted not to participate in the strike.
Earlier, Opposition Leader Inia Seruiratu urged the Government to take immediate actions to resolve the ongoing conflict between USP and the staff unions, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding the future of students in the region. He called for strong leadership in addressing the situation.
Seruiratu also demanded the immediate suspension of Vice-Chancellor and USP President Professor Pal Ahluwalia to facilitate an investigation into the unions’ claims. He expressed concern over the seriousness of the matter, especially as it coincides with the upcoming student assessments at USP.
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