MIDLANDS State University (MSU) lecturers downed tools on Friday in protest over late payment of February salaries.
Staff Reporter
The 430 lectures made the decision to down tools after a meeting held at the MSU main campus and resolved not to return to work until they were paid their dues.
The Midlands State University Lectures’ Association (Msula) said members could not continue to come to work on an empty stomach or to go to work on foot.
“Our members will not be reporting for work until and unless they receive their salaries because, as it stands, we have no transport money and neither do we have food in our homes,” Msula said in a statement.
“It is a difficult task to impart knowledge and wisdom on an empty stomach.”
The university has been struggling to pay lecturers’ salaries since last November, shifting pay dates without advising them.
The November salary was only paid on December 13 and December salary was paid on January 17.
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Msula said this was now becoming a habit and lecturersfailed to understand how the institution was failing to pay salaries at a time there was over enrolment at the university and students were paying fees.
“Today the government says it has no money,” the association said.
“We are, therefore, subsequently literally incapacitated and the general assembly has resolved in the absence of a salary, we do not have money to report for duty.”
The strike is set to affect the more than 8 000 students at the institution as the lecturers dig in, accusing the government of violating the Labour Act.
“The Labour Act says all employees must be paid their salaries on or before the last day of the respective working month,” Msula added.
