Own Correspondent
MIDLANDS State University (MSU) lecturers have joined the growing list of State university employees who have downed tools in the past few days over poor salaries.
Last Tuesday, lecturers at the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) in Bulawayo also stopped conducting lectures citing incapacitation and fear of collapsing in front of students because of hunger.
Lecturers at the Zimbabwe Open University (ZOU) are also reported to have informed university authorities about their incapacitation to come to continue reporting for work.
Last Friday, MSU lecturers wrote to the university’s council and Vice Chancellor, Victor Muzvidziwa, informing the authorities about their decision to suspend lectures until their grievances made are addressed.
“We write to advise that we had a joint General Assembly meeting for both teaching and non-teaching staff today (Friday) in the Great Hall at the main campus,” the letter reads.
“Members made and adopted the following resolution: That all employees at Midlands State University are incapacitated to come to work with immediate effect.”
The lecturers also resolved to report back to work after their welfare has been looked at.
“All members will be waiting for the employer to capacitate them so that they report for work.
“That all heads of departments should allow subordinates to receive capacitation before coming to report for duty and should not force or victimise them,” the letter reads.
The workers also demanded their salaries should be pegged at the same rates paid by other SADC region universities.