USP Considers Legal Action Against PS Employment
“Taking legal actions against the Permanent Secretary, the university will be taking the Government to court. This Government is the biggest contributor to this university and this is the biggest campus.
Saturday 19 October 2024 | 13:39
University of the South Pacific staff supported by some students during the strike at Laucala campus on October 18, 2024. Photo: Ronald Kumar
The University of the South Pacific (USP) is considering pursuing legal action against Permanent Secretary for Employment, Productivity and Workplace Relations Jone Maretino Nemani.
In an email advisory to all USP staff obtained by this masthead, the USP executive director for People’s and Workplace Strategy Agnes Kotoisuva hinted at such action.
“We understand that the USPSU and AUSPS have decided to go on strike tomorrow, Friday, 18 October 2024, over an issue that the university management considers to be outside their respective collective contracts and conditions of employment,” Ms Kotoisuva said.
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“The university is taking appropriate legal action against the rulings of the Permanent Secretary of Employment, Productivity and Workplace Relations.”
Professor Pal Ahluwalia, the university’s vice-chancellor and president must resign, according to the demands of the University Staff and Support Staff Union (USPU) and the Association of USP Staff (AUSPS), which went on strike on Friday.
Their complaints are related to the recent results of the Special Council meeting.
The unions claimed that the poor leadership of Professor Pal should be scrutinised more than human resources concerns.
Minister for Employment Agni Deo Singh has yet to comment on the matter.
USPU general secretary and spokesperson for the union strike Reuben Colata has strongly condemned the university’s legal contemplation on the saga.
“They said they will take legal action against the ministry,” Mr Colata said.
“Taking legal actions against the Permanent Secretary, the university will be taking the Government to court. This Government is the biggest contributor to this university and this is the biggest campus.
“For the university to take the Fiji Government to court, to take legal action, we just don’t know what is behind this, I hope good sense prevails.”
Questions e-mailed to the university remained unanswered when this edition went to press.
Feedback: jone.salusalu@fijisun.com.fj
