Poly lecturers go on strike: University of Malawi dons demand 30% salary hike
Lecturers at the Malawi Polytechnic, a constituent college of the University of Malawi have from Monday downed tools demanding a 30 per cent salary increment.
According to the Polytechnic Academic Staff Committee on Welfare (PASCOW), the staff resolved to withdraw their teaching services from Monday 21 until government heeds to their call in regard to salary increment.
“We write to inform you that at the time of posting this message PASCOW has not received any communication or feedback on the demand of the salary adjustment.
“As a consequence, the PASCOW resolution of withdrawing teaching services form Monday 21 March still stands,” reads the PASCOW statement.
A visit by the Malawi News Agency (Mana) on Monday to the Polytechnic campuses situated at Chichiri in Blantyre found out that students were lingering around the corridors because there were no lecturers.
One of the lecturers who opted for anonymity confided with Mana that they will resume their duties once the university council increases their salaries by 30 percent or any percentage not less than 15.
“We are passing through financial hardships and as lecturers we got our salary increment in 2014, our salares are not coping with the current living standards because things now have gone up which is why we are pressuring the council to heed to our call,” he said.
According to the polytechnic Student Union (PSU) President, Frank Msiska the union is aware that lecturers are on strike demanding a 30 percent salary increment noting that the move is affecting them negatively considering that some students came last week and are incurring costs.
“Besides, this will disturb our academic calendar, we are urging the authorities to work on this as soon as possible so that the academic calendar is not disturbed in anyway,” he said.
Meanwhile, the PSU is meeting relevant authorities including the Vice Chancellor to assist in addressing the issue.
“We believe classes will resume once the meeting between the lecturers and the university council reaches an agreement without which the strike will be ongoing,” he lamented.
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inenso mundionjezereko chonde.
We reduced the education budget because it had 60% salary increase for all teachers in Malawi. What is 30% after all? We didn’t recruit teachers in anticipation for this. As for The Polytechnic lecturers this is my advice. Ask for 50% if the council refuses then feudalism BASI muyime pa nokha. If that fails choose BUSHIRI to be your Chancellor tizikuposani ife Nzeru guys anyamata abukhu ngati inu.
YES TO REDUCTION , the minister of Education hon Fabiono. The same minister asks for more resources in his ministry, and the same ministry says yes to reduction in my ministry . That is called towing the party line kkkkkkkkkkk,kkkkk. School removes ignorance but does not remove stupidity ndaonera pa FABIANO. Your Chancellor has ” NO POBLEM” Mulandira guys ka 30% ndichaninso .
Easy guys mulandira 30% is too little for learned people like you. After all your Chancellor want APM alibe problem. All you have to do is award DOctress Gettie an honorary Proffessorship. Inu pe EAZY
The Poly Lecturers are as good as pit latrine. Let them resign and get good jobs wherever they think they can go. Boma lilibe ndalama. Increase the tuition fees kuti mulandire salale yambiri.
tiaphunzitsi tinafe ndiye zathu zili bwino eti?tili duuu kumangomva kukoma . Akusecondary, leave grant njeee. Anzathutu ayambapo. Ooooh, ine ndikupanga ya ndekha.
I strongly support the coarse taken by the Poly Lecturers who have very progressive responsibility of preparing the tomorrow leadership ratherthan the obsolete MPs who are paid enormous salaries and other perks ending up in hotels or lodges with minors.Candidly,in real democratic nations ,Peter and his serviles could have been voted out for their dismal performances leading to tragic economic and political unprecedented ramifications.Afterall,most of the MPs are less educated and uninformed.It is their wholly responsibility to hold the regime accountable and not making cavernous noises in the Parliament.FOWARD WITH THE DEDICATED LECTURERS,keep it on.
FIRE THEM ALL. THEY ARE GREEDY. AKUFUNA TCHITO NDIAMBILI. TICHITA APPLY IFE. WE HAVE THE EDUCATION TOO. I THINK THE UNIVERSITY SHOULD BE PRIVATISED. TIWONE NGATI MA BENEFITS AMENE AMAPATSIDWAWO ANGAKHALE. STRIKE STRIKE STRIKE YACHIYANI. MUMANGOKHALILA KULEDZELA BASI. GET FOREIGN PROFESSORS FROM OTHER PARTS OF AFRICA. ADVERTISE THE JOBS. ZAUCHITSILU. MUMADZIYIKA NGATI A SPECIAL BWANJI?
It is a reasonable demand, infact on the lower side, which can be met with ease on the part of the university council. Failing which, then ungokhala mwano.
Let Mera bail out government as it did with purchase of maize for Admarc. Koma zina kambu zina leku it’s not raining but pouring for this Administration.