Following a meeting with University of Juba employees today, Education Minister John Gai Yoh said they are reviewing salaries and allowances for all employees.
But he cautioned that the ongoing fighting has limited the amount of money available to the government and urged the employees to be patient.
The university’s Workers’ Union is asking the ministry to introduce an annual incremental increase for all workers and an overall review of the salary structure across all of South Sudan’s learning institutions.
“There was a committee formed in this regard,” Gai said. “Yes, there is a delay, but it is because we wanted to compare your situation with your fellow colleagues’ in neighboring countries.”
The staff members who called today’s meeting also demanded money for capacity-building, medical allowances and for promotions. Some said their arrears had not been paid for almost 14 months.
One staff member said, “We have been facing challenge in terms of transportation. As you know very well that the nature of our work needs us to report to work early in the morning.”
He said there was not even enough money to buy cleaning supplies. “Even brooms are not available in the university, if you go and look around,” he said.
One representative told the minister, “You are very lucky today because you came when electricity is working.”
But Gai said the government had cut all operational costs from institutional budgets starting in February. Though he pledged to consider their demands, he said many would remain out of reach at the moment.
“The ministry has only 24,000 SSP earmarked for social services, so is it possible to send one of you abroad for medical treatment?” he asked.