USP Staff Association vow to "fight tooth and nail" to protect whistle blower on senior staff salary from being fired

Staff at the University of the South Pacific say they will "fight tooth and nail" to protect those who leaked information on salaries of the regional institution's management.

USP staff association president Dr Mahendra Reddy claims that a head hunt is underway following an e-mail that leaked the purported salary details of eight senior management staff.

By Pacific regional standard, the figures are seen to be 'exorbitant', prompting investigation by the Fiji Government that contributed $38m this year to the institution.

"I don't think we need to find out who leaked them. Whistle blowers should be protected. That is the new governance strategy. I am worried that the university wants to go after the whistle blowers," said Dr Reddy.

"The union will see that the whistle blowers do not get touched."

The USP has officially denied the claims made in the e-mails, particularly concerning the benefits given its management.

However, Dr Reddy maintains that the pay slips are genuine, but admits that relative to the global market the salaries may not be exorbitant.

He has called for an investigation into the financial management of the university.

"There are some major accusations made in regards to financial management. But those are tip of the iceberg. What needs to be done is a detailed audit of financial management at USP."

Source: Fijilive