UNZA Lecturers on go slow strike with immediate effect

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UNZA mourns Michael Sata, ‘King Cobra’ Oct 29th 2014 in Pictures
UNZA mourns Michael Sata, ‘King Cobra’ Oct 29th 2014 in Pictures

The University of Zambia Lecturers and Researchers Union (UNZALARU) has resolved to go on go slow with immediate effect. According to a statement signed by UNZALARU Publicity Secretary Moffat Moyo, Staff have been owed contractual obligations as far back as 2010.

Mr. Moyo, said that the Union has a lot of unresolved issues such as negotiations for the year 2018, which is almost ending, adding that since January 2018, the Union has been making attempts to begin negotiations for conditions of service.

Mr. Moyo, also accused Management of taking a casual attitude in handling the matters.

And Ministry of Higher Education Permanent Secretary Mabvuto Sakala referred all comments to the Registrar at UNZA. Mr. Sakala said the Ministry is not in a position to comment on the matter and that they are not in receipt of official correspondence from the Union.

University of Zambia (UNZA) management said that it is working with relevant stakeholders to ensure issues raised by the UNZA Lecturers and Researchers Union (UNZALARU) are resolved amicably, in order to prevent the situation from escalating.

UNZA Public Relations Manager, Damaseke Chibale said that management was already putting in place measures to adequately resolve the matter administratively.

Mr. Chibale further said that the lecturers will be informed on the progress after the engagement with their UNZALARU leadership.

Yesterday, UNZALARU issued a letter to the University Registrar demanding for payment of contractual obligations, for as far back as 2010 as well as the 2018 conditions of service negotiations.

Meanwhile, Mr. Chibale said UNZA management was not in a place to decide how to resolve the matter regarding the expelled students, because it was the students, who took the matter to court.

This is in a matter where some students were expelled for having engaged in riots in June this year.

Yesterday, 7 suspended students that participated in a riot in June have asked for forgiveness from President Edgar Lungu, saying they are repentant and regret their behaviour. One of the students Richard Malambo who spoke on behalf of his colleagues also pleaded with the public to pardon them. Mr. Malambo a fourth-year student appealed that their suspension be lifted and promise that they will be better students.

And another student, Kakonde Muzungu said they have learnt a lot from the suspension.

And, Pillars of Peace National Youth Coordinator, Winfred Chilufya appealed to President Lungu and Minister of Higher Education Nkandu Luo to heed to the calls made by the students adding that their families depend on them.

The 7 students include Lifuke Muyenga, Winner Mwiinga, Kerris Habwacha, Ben Muwela and Paul Mwauluka.

Lusaka Times

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