Govt, University of Malawi resolve salary disparity impasse: Strike called off
A deadlock between government and the University of Malawi (Unima) academic staff over salary disparities has been resolved and all Unima constituent colleges will resume normal functions, it has been confirmed.
Unima academic staff especially at Chancellor College of Malawi (Chanco) has been on strike for almost seven months now protesting over pay disparity among Unima constituent colleges.
And President Peter Mutharika, who is also Unima Chancellor ,on Sunday dissolved the Unima Council following its failure to resolve the deadlock which left students not learning for months.
Minister of Education, Science and Technology, Emmanuel Fabiano confirmed in a statement to Nyasa Times on Tuesday that the dispute has been resolved after a meeting the Unima Council and College Academic Staff Union/Welfare Association representatives had at Ku Chawe Inn in Zomba.
The meeting was facilitated by government.
“The dispute over salary disparities has been amicably resolved. Consequently all constituent colleges of the University of Malawi will resume normal functions,” said Fabiano.
Meanwhile, Chanco management is expected issue out official statement confirming the same within the next two days on the opening of the college.
Lecturers at Chanco alongside their colleagues at the Polytechnic, Kamuzu College of Nursing (KCN) and the College of Medicine (CoM), have been demanding Unima to resolve salary disparities among the staff in similar grades in the four colleges.
They have been protesting the fact that some staff at the College of Medicine (CoM) get about 40 percent extra pay compared to their colleagues in similar grades at Unima’s other constituent colleges.
However, Unima registrar Benedicto Okomaatani Malunga justified the arrangement, arguing it has been in existence since 1991 when College of Medicine was established by Professor John Chimphangwi.
President Peter Mutharika on Friday bemoaned the impact of continued sit-in by Chanco academic staff during a meeting with Chancellor College student’s concerned parents at State House in Lilongwe.
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Ey guys the issue is that they have agreed that the salary increament will be up to 40%. The gvt has accepted that unwillingly. I hope it will also accept that when the civil servants requested for the salary increament as well.
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These stupid dogs also known as Chanco lecturers should stop holding students at ransom for their selfish reasons. THis is barbaric and uncalled for for so-called educated pigs
Why can’t yourself go and teach an Chanco?? Answer: you don’t qualify. These are labour issues and as you may be aware, these issues in Malawi are only settled through strikes.
May be they have agreed to differ?
a sleeping grandpa of a president, kudikila zinthu ziwonongeke kaye nde aziti fwe fwe fwe kudzidzimuka kuchokera mu nkonono!!!!!!!!!!!!
WELL DONE !
Which UNIMA Council met at Ku Chawe Inn? I thought this president of yours dissolved the Council on Monday?
Ayayaya! Ma reporter opheteketsa mutu! So what is the resolution? Have the Unima chickens been given their 40% salary increase or not?
Iwe Maurice Nkawihe, what is the resolution? As a journo, you should have investigated not only that the impasse has been resolved, but also what the two parties have agreed on and. This story clearly shows that you just read the statement issued by Dr Fabiano — in other words, desk research. And, as you guys at Nyasatimes do most of the times, you’ll not publish this comment because you do not want to be criticized for your weaknesses.