Rumbek university staff strike over eight months of unpaid salaries

RUMBEK – Academic staff at Rumbek University of Science and Technology (RUST) launched a strike on campus on Tuesday, demanding eight months of unpaid salaries and other benefits.

Emmanuel Rundial, a university lecturer, emphasized the staff’s rights as civil servants and highlighted the dire situation many staff members face due to the lack of income.

“We are making our demand clear. It’s our right as civil servants who are working with the government to be paid our salaries. We haven’t been paid for eight months. We are crucial as we produce human resources for the country. The government must pay us.,” he added.

“Some colleagues are even dying because they can’t afford treatment. We need our salaries now, not tomorrow,” he added.

Moses Kueng Imu, another staff member, detailed the financial hardship they are enduring.

“Last year, we only received salaries for November and December. In 2024, we haven’t been paid for six months, making a total of eight months without salary,” he said.

“I go to work daily, but my children have no food and no access to medicine at government hospitals. Even the university lacks medicine. I don’t know why this university is even called a university,” he added.

Garnop Makur, a lecturer, emphasized the broken social contract with the government.

“We work and deserve to be paid at the end of the month. We’ve been patient since 2023. They have a responsibility. We haven’t received what’s rightfully ours. We have children, rent to pay, and sick children who need medical attention. We can’t afford school fees or hospitals,” he added.

Makur described the frustration that led to the strike.

“This is the condition that forced us to take action. If the government is not going to implement our immediate payment of our salaries, we will be on the streets every day demanding our rights. If the government is for the people, they must pay us and respect our right,” Makur said.

Kot Manyuon Thuc, Acting Chairperson of the Rumbek University Staff Association (RUSTASA), outlined their demands in a petition to the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology.

These demands include immediate payment of eight months of salary arrears (November 2023 – June 2024), payment of ticket allowances for 2019-2024, payment of medical allowances for 2019-2024, and adjustment of salary scales for all public universities based on the current central bank exchange rate.

Thuc warned of further action if their demands are not met.

“The academic staff general assembly is determined not to continue with sitting strikes but to scale up by staging peaceful demonstrations until the following demands are met by the government,” Thuc said.

He listed the demands again, reiterating the staff’s resolve to withhold lectures in the upcoming academic year if the government fails to address their grievances.

The striking staff chanted slogans throughout the day, their voices echoing across the campus. Chants included “No salary, no work!” and “Our tools are down! Pay police, pay army, pay civil servants!”