Government Describes Work Stoppage By UNZA And CBU Lecturers As Unnecessary

By Lomphande Muzumi/Tinkerbel Mwila

Higher Education Minister, Dr Brian Mushimba says the work stoppage by University of Zambia and Copperbelt University lecturers is premature and unnecessary.

This follows the decision by the Copperbelt university academic union to suspend all activities and UNZA lecturers to go on strike due to delayed payment of their November salaries.

But Dr. Mushimba tells Phoenix News that there has been a delayment in the release of grants to the two universities, a situation he says will soon be addressed.

Dr Mushimba has since called for patience among lecturers as government will soon release the funds to pay off their salaries.

Meanwhile, the Copperbelt University management has given CBU academic union a 24 hour ultimatum in which to call off the strike.

In a letter signed by CBU registrar Helen Mukumba, CBU management says the strike is illegal and an abrogation of the laws enshrined in the industrial and labour relations act.

Management feels that the strike which has been called at the instigation of the union leadership is not in the best interest of the institutions and is against the legal frame work.

Management further states that failure by the union to call off the strike, it will have no option but to consider the provisions of the industrial and labour relations act.

And management is concerned that this is not the first time the union has unilaterally proceeded to strike without following procedure.

But Copperbelt University Academic Union General Secretary, Willie Ngosa has reiterated that the lecturers will only return to work when they receive their salaries.

PHOENIX NEWS

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