Uasu wants Moi University to release Sh5bn deducted from workers

 

UASU Moi University chapter secretary Nyabuta Ojuki (R) 

Uasu is now demanding that Moi University releases more than Sh5 billion it failed to remit after making deductions from university workers' salaries.

The money was to pay employees' bank loans and pension scheme.

Uasu chairman Richard Okero said this is part of preconditions to call off strike.

He said the workers have suffered for long and one of the banks has sued 53 employees for defaulting on loans. 

 “We will not call off the strike and allow our members to continue suffering. We will live miserable lives in future if we are not assured of our pension and that is totally unacceptable," Okero said.

The Ministry of Labour has called for a reconciliation meeting with Uasu and the university to resolve the ongoing strike.

Labour officer Carolyne Chemursoi wrote to the parties, asking them to meet in Eldoret today.

“We will attend the meeting but they should come prepared to remit the Sh5 billion and resolve other issues we have raised," Okero said.

The reconciliation meeting also seeks to iron out issues that have seen more than 900 lecturers down their tools. The strike is currently in its second week.

University council chairman Humphrey Njoroge asked the ministry to mediate.

Uasu branch secretary Nyabuta Ojuki said he will attend the meeting.

Last week Njoroge wrote to Uasu secretary general Constantine Wasonga, urging the dons to resume work as they address their issues but the union declined.

The university is yet to pay lecturers' salaries for July and August. The union says it will not call off the strike until the university meets their demands.

 “They have continued to give us false promises and unless they pay, we will not resume work,” Ojuki said.

Wasonga said the university has to meet lecturers' demands and stop giving promises through letters.

He said they will upscale the strike if their demands are not met within a week.

Uasu national officials last week led the lecturers' demonstrations in Eldoret town to push for payment of delayed salaries and implementation of their 2017-2021 CBA.

Wasonga accused the government of neglecting institutions of higher learning.

BY MATHEWS NDANYI