POLY LECTURERS STRIKE OVER SALARY INCREMENT CONTINUES: STUDENTS CALL FOR GOVT INTERVENTION

Students from Malawi Polytechnic, a constituent college of the University of Malawi have asked the government to intervene on the ongoing strike by the lecturers demanding pay hike, saying the standoff is affecting them both financially and academically.

Lecturers started the strike on Monday last week demanding a 30 per cent salary increment which the University council trashed in a statement released over the weekend.

In a statement, UNIMA council said effecting the 30 per cent salary hike will raise the wage bill suspending operations of the university.

The council then urged all lecturers to resume work as soon as possible and allow dialogue on the matter which the lecturers have not agreed to.

Speaking in an interview with FaceofMalawi reporter, one of the students at the school who opted for anonymity said the strike is affecting them greatly as they are just spending money without going into classes.

He said government should intervene on the matter as soon as possible to avoid the repeat of the academic freedom saga which saw the calendar being disrupted.

Last week, Polytechnic Student Union (PSU) President, Frank Msiska told this publication that the union is doing everything possible to resolve the issue.