Fiji National University staff push for independent governance review amid leadership concerns

FNU Staff Push for Independent Governance Review Amid Senior Executive Allegations

A group of current and former employees at Fiji National University (FNU) is demanding the dismissal of a senior management official amid serious allegations of employment violations and breaches of occupational health and safety standards. Speaking on the condition of anonymity, these staff members assert that Vice Chancellor Unaisi Nabobo-Baba is aware of the troubling situation but is allegedly shielding the senior executive involved.

The allegations claim that some employees were confined to a boardroom for an extended period of three days, with only one hour of leave each day granted for childcare responsibilities. This cohort accuses the senior staff member of showing a severe disregard for the personal lives of employees, labeling her behavior as unethical and inhumane. These actions have raised significant concerns regarding working conditions at the university.

Additionally, the staff argue that the senior executive in question lacks the necessary formal qualifications for her current leadership position. Despite voicing these concerns for over a year and a half, they feel that neither the university administration nor the Ministry of Education, which had previously called for an internal investigation, has taken effective action. Although the senior staff member was removed from her earlier role as a result of the investigation, she was reportedly promoted to an even higher position as the Executive Director of the FNU Foundation, which staff perceive as an improper elevation rather than accountability for her actions.

Rusiate Vada, a former FNU employee now living in Australia, highlighted that under the senior executive’s management, workloads and stress levels have significantly increased, making it difficult for staff to balance their professional responsibilities with family commitments. He pointed out that the relentless pressure to meet excessive workloads often left them with little to no time for their personal lives.

With their calls for intervention going unanswered, the staff is advocating for an independent review of FNU’s governance and management accountability. Efforts to reach out to the implicated senior executive and Vice Chancellor Nabobo-Baba for comments have yet to yield any responses.

This ongoing situation reflects similar challenges faced by academic institutions in the region concerning staff grievances and allegations of misconduct. It emphasizes the importance of maintaining governance standards and ensuring employee welfare within educational settings. There is a sense of hope among stakeholders that this outcry for action will prompt a meaningful response, fostering a healthier work environment across Fijian educational institutions.

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