At least 200 Fiji National University security officers will be without jobs by May, 2016.

And most have been notified through letters of redundancy issued to them, says FNU Chancellor/Chair Ikbal Jannif.

He confirmed that the university has decided to outsource its security requirements.

“All security staff employed by FNU have been given redundancy packages as per the FNU Policy and in compliance with the ERP 2006,” he said.

Mr Jannif said they could not release details of the payment being made.

Swamy Raman, a senior security officer based in Nadi, said he was shocked after receiving his letter.

His contract with FNU will expire on October 2, 2018.

“I will no longer have my job after May 11 which is a big concern because there was no formal meeting held to discuss the issue on why our contracts are being terminated,” Mr Raman said.

Team supervisor based at Suva’s Hoodless House Isireli Wainiqolo said he had received numerous calls from security staff regarding the redundancy letter.

“There are close to 200 security staff at different FNU campuses around Fiji that are affected by this redundancy since they felt their jobs were secured for a few years because of their contract time period,” Mr Wainiqolo said.

A redundancy employment letter received by the Fiji Sun said:

“The HR Policy No.31 4.2 states that, “…without prejudice to any provision in an employment contract, the university may terminate a contract of employment by giving a notice of termination of contract for the same period as required for the employee to provide to the university for resignation, or lieu of the notice period, a compensation equivalent to the salary for the period that is required for the employee to resign.

“Therefore the university will provide with three month’s notice that is from February 12, 2016 till May 11, 2016.”

The letter further stated:  “In addition HR Policy No. 7 says, “On all termination of employment on account of redundancy, the university shall pay each employee terminated one month’s base salary plus the equivalent of one week’s salary as redundancy pay for each completed year of service.

“The university may agree to a negotiated redundancy pay package on a redundancy situation basis.”

Edited by Manasa Kalouniviti

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