Rumbek University lecturers threaten strike over unpaid salaries, allowances

JUBA – Lecturers at Rumbek University of Science and Technology (RUST) are threatening to strike over seven months of unpaid salaries and allowances, according to a statement from the academic staff association.

Kot Manyuon Thuc, Acting Chairperson of the Rumbek University of Science and Technology Academic Staff Association (RUSTASA), said a general assembly was held on June 7, 2024, to address the outstanding payments.

The lecturers are demanding salary arrears from November 2023 to May 2024, an additional month’s salary difference for June 2023, and outstanding ticket allowances accumulated from 2019 to 2024.

“The academic staff general assembly came out with the following resolutions,” Thuc stated. “First, we need immediate payment of all seven months’ salary arrears, the one-month difference arrears, and all tickets.”

The association threatened industrial action if the Ministry of Finance and Planning fails to address their demands.

“Secondly, if the government’s National Ministry of Finance and Planning fails to address this serious matter of ‘live to work and work to live,’ the academic staff of RUSTASA will go on industrial action,” Thuc said.

The association called for a positive response from the government to their demands.