The three trade unions at the University of Zambia namely,the University of Zambia Lectures and Researchers Union UNZALARU, the University of Zambia Professional Staff Union UNZAPROSU and the University of Zambia Allied Worker’s Union UNZAAWU says they are determined to continue with the protests.
Addressing the media today morning , UNZALARU president Dr. Andrew Phiri has demanded full payment of outstanding benefits and that students should not be allowed to report for the second semester before the above demand is met.
Dr. Phiri wondered why money for by-elections is always available but subjecting lectures who are offering a diligent service to the nation suffer.
Dr. Phiri has advised management and government not to allow the students to return next week as long as they are not paid their money because no members of staff will attend to them.
He added that the Unions are ready to meet with president Hakainde Hichilema as his ministers responsible have failed to resolve the issue at hand.
He further urged government to surrender one of the toll gates to UNZA as it is able to service their dues.
UNZA workers are demanding their unpaid terminal benefits about k1.5 billion all together among them NAPSA. But government two weeks ago responded that it had limited resources to address their demands due to drought and energy crisis the nation is currently experiencing.
Meanwhile,UNZAPROSUGeneral Secretary
Mr. Nalucha Mayamba has vowed not to end the protest until they are paid.
Mayamba noted that their core business at UNZA is to offer service and get paid.
And one of the lecture spoken to has advised government to take the issue seriously because they can not work without food.
