By Jones Gadama
A group of Mzuzu University staff members took to the streets today to protest the delayed payment of their gratuity, a benefit that has been pending for months.
The protesters, who were led by the Mzuni Academic Staff Union, marched through the streets of Mzuzu, carrying placards and banners that highlighted their plight.
According to Misheck Banda, the spokesperson for the Mzuni Academic Staff Union, the issue of delayed gratuity payment has been ongoing for months, with staff members still waiting for their benefits despite their continued hard work.
Banda said that the union had been engaging with the university administration, but their efforts had yielded no results, prompting them to take to the streets.
“We have been patient for far too long, and it’s time for us to take action,” Banda said. “We are not asking for a handout; we are simply demanding what is rightfully ours. We believe that the President, as the Chancellor of the university, has the power to intervene and ensure that our gratuity is paid promptly,”he added
The protesters intend to submit a petition to President Lazarus Chakwera, who is also the Chancellor of Mzuzu University.
The petition aims to bring attention to the plight of the staff members and to urge the President to take action to resolve the issue.
Banda said that the union had tried to engage with the university administration, but their efforts had been met with excuses and delays.
“We have written letters, sent emails, and even met with the university officials, but nothing has happened,” he said,a adding that, “We are hoping that the President will take our petition seriously and intervene to ensure that our gratuity is paid without further delays.”
The protesters, who included lecturers, professors, and other staff members, were seen carrying placards with slogans such as “Pay our gratuity now” and “We are not begging, we are demanding what is ours.” They also handed out flyers to passersby, explaining their situation and seeking support.
One of the protesters, who wished to remain anonymous, said that the delayed payment of gratuity had caused financial hardship for many staff members.
“I have been waiting for my gratuity for over a year now, and it’s affecting my ability to plan for my future,” the staff member said. “I am not alone; many of my colleagues are in the same situation. We are hoping that the President will take our petition seriously and help us to get our gratuity paid promptly,”he added.
The Mzuni Academic Staff Union has given the university administration an ultimatum to pay the gratuity within the next two weeks.
If the issue is not resolved, the union has threatened to take further action, including a possible strike.
In a statement, the university’s public relations officer said that the institution was aware of the issue and was working to resolve it. However, the officer did not provide a specific timeline for the payment of the gratuity.
The protest was peaceful, with the staff members dispersing after submitting their petition to the President’s office.
However, the issue is likely to continue to simmer, with the staff members determined to get their gratuity paid promptly.
The delayed payment of gratuity is not a new issue at Mzuzu University.
In recent years, staff members have complained about delays in the payment of their benefits, citing bureaucratic red tape and lack of funding as the main causes of the problem.
The Mzuni Academic Staff Union has been at the forefront of the fight for staff welfare, including the payment of gratuity.
The union has been engaging with the university administration and the government to resolve the issue, but progress has been slow.
The protest today is a clear indication that the staff members are no longer willing to wait for their benefits.
They are demanding action, and it remains to be seen how the university administration and the government will respond to their demands.
In the meantime, the staff members will continue to protest and lobby for their rights.
They are hoping that their efforts will yield results and that they will finally get their gratuity paid promptly.
As the situation continues to unfold, it is clear that the issue of delayed gratuity payment is a complex one that requires urgent attention.
The university administration and the government must work together to resolve the issue and ensure that staff members receive their benefits promptly.
The payment of gratuity is a critical issue that affects not only the staff members but also the overall performance of the university.
When staff members are not paid their benefits on time, it can lead to low morale, decreased productivity, and a lack of motivation.
The protest by Mzuzu University staff members over the delayed payment of their gratuity is a clear indication that the issue needs to be addressed urgently.
The university administration and the government must work together to resolve the issue and ensure that staff members receive their benefits promptly.
The staff members will continue to protest and lobby for their rights, and it remains to be seen how the authorities will respond to their demands, but one thing is certain – the staff members will not rest until justice is served and their gratuity is paid in full.
