BY PRECIOUS MIRACLE KARGBO
The Union of Academic Staff Associations (UASA), representing academic staff from public tertiary institutions in Sierra Leone, has addressed the speculations surrounding the ongoing industrial action in a press release issued on March 4th, 2024. The UASA outlined the key reasons behind their protest and dispelled rumors circulating about salary adjustments.
The industrial action, which has affected academic activities across the country, is primarily driven by four core demands. These demands include the payment of backlog salaries for promoted staff since 2019, the provision of severance benefits to staff members of upgraded institutions, the issuance of appointment letters and salary upgrades for staff members of newly upgraded institutions, and the improvement of overall conditions of service for staff in these institutions.
Among the rumors circulating, the UASA emphasized that the claim of a 58% salary adjustment is entirely baseless. This matter was previously discussed during a meeting at the Family Kingdom Resort Centre on October 31st, 2023, involving the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education (MTHE), the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC), the Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MLESS), and the UASA. The meeting concluded that the Union’s request for such a salary adjustment was not financially sustainable. Instead, the Union was advised to engage the courts or the individual institutions’ councils to explore adjustments to internal allowances to alleviate the impact of the country’s economic situation.
Furthermore, the UASA clarified that the ongoing industrial action is unrelated to the “leadership saga” unfolding at the University of Sierra Leone. It urged both its members and the general public to seek accurate and up-to-date information from the Union’s leadership regarding the progress and developments of the industrial action.
The UASA’s press release aims to provide clarity on the reasons behind the ongoing strike and dispel any misconceptions or misinformation that may have been circulating. The Union remains committed to advocating for the rights and welfare of academic staff across public tertiary institutions in Sierra Leone. As the strike continues, it encourages dialogue between the Union and relevant stakeholders to reach a resolution that addresses the pressing concerns of its members.
Conclusively, the UASA advises that for further information or updates on the ongoing industrial action, all interested parties should reach out to their leadership for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
