The University of the South Pacific’s application for an interim injunction to halt any further action for strike by the staff unions has been refused by the Civil High Court in Suva.
This is in relation to a strike action undertaken by the Association of USP Staff and USP Staff Union, calling for the removal of Vice Chancellor and President Professor Pal Ahluwalia on October 18th this year.
The FBC reports that in the ruling, Judge, Justice Chaitanya Lakshman said there is no dispute that a proper and lawful strike ballot was held in which members of the staff unions voted to strike.
Justice Lakshman said the argument on behalf of USP is based on the appeal that is before the Employment Tribunal, and he will not usurp the role of the Tribunal.
He said the issue of the lawfulness of the strike is also before the Employment Tribunal.
Justice Lakshman concluded that there is no arguable case, and the balance of convenience does not favor the granting of an interim injunction.
USP has been ordered to pay $1000 (US$500) each to the four defendants; the Permanent Secretary for Employment, Productivity and Workplace Relations, Ministry of Employment, Productivity and Workplace Relations, Association of the University of the South Pacific Staff, University of the South Pacific Staff Union, and the Attorney General of Fiji.
Meanwhile, a student who raised serious allegations of sexual harassment against a USP lecturer on behalf of more than 30 others, has not reported the matter to police.
The complainant said she is looking to the USP Council for justice. The alleged perpetrator has reportedly resigned.