The University Academic Staff Union (UASU) has announced a seven-day strike notice over delays and non-payment of their full salaries.
Speaking while addressing the press after a National Executive Committee meeting on Wednesday, Secretary-General Constantine Wesonga noted that this could disrupt learning next month in all public universities as new and returning students arrive.
The Union criticized the Technical University of Kenya (TUK) for issuing July salaries at a reduced rate of 65 per cent.
“The Union is not going to accept the reduction of our members’ salaries going forward. The Union shall call out all its members to protest. Take notice that the Union shall not condone any delays in the release of salaries to public universities in future and shall take action to force compliance in line with the provisions of the law,” he said.
“There will be no learning in university from September. The seven-day strike notice is from today. You cannot be paying lecturers 65 per cent of their salary, are they working 65 per cent? Wesonga posed.
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Wesonga explained that the persistent salary delays by the government every month had subjected the academic staff in Public Universities to untold suffering.
He further decried non-remittance of National Social Security Fund (NSSF), National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) and Retirement Benefit Schemes contributions as well as deductions of saccos, loans, insurance, pensions and other social welfare organizations.
“This persistent delay has brought disrespect and embarrassment to our members for too long. Academic staff who have retired are unable to get their pension and are wallowing in poverty and ill health. Most public universities have dysfunctional medical schemes, and the failure to remit NHIF has worsened the situation. There is a high rate of mortality and suffering among university workers,” Wesonga lamented.
By Frank Mugwe
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