Employees of the University of Bahr el Ghazal in South Sudan on Thursday threatened to boycott work due to non-payment of two months’ salary arrears.
University of Bahr el Ghazal is one of the five public universities. The other institutions of higher learning include the University of Juba, Dr. John Garang Memorial University of Science and Technology, Upper Nile University and Rumbek University.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Friday, the chairperson of the university’s workers union, Bol Maker said they met and agreed that they would boycott work from 5 April if the government does not pay them.
“We have delays with the salaries for February and March. The council of ministers announced the increment of the salaries on January 22, 2023, and people were waiting for the payment with the adjustment until people reached April now, and as a result, workers decided to down tools,” Maker said.
“The outcome of the meeting is that on the 5th of April, the workers will go on strike if they don’t receive the money. These three days are given to the Ministry of Finance to release the money,” he added.
The workers union official said examinations will start on Monday, but they will be stopped once the strike begins. “On Monday and Tuesday, we will conduct the exams normally, but on Wednesday the day of the strike, we will stop because it is not our mistake, the national ministry of finance will take the responsibility,” he said.
On Thursday, lecturers at Rumbek University also issued a strike notice over unpaid two months’ arrears based on the adjusted salary structure. The academic staff said they would go on indefinite industrial action starting from 4 April if their salary arrears and ticket allowances are not paid.