More than 10 support staff at the Maridi Health Science Institute have gone on strike over unpaid salaries.
Consequently, the administration has barred the workers from accessing the school premises.
The Maridi County Executive Director, John Ezekiah Paul, confirmed that the striking staff, employed under Amref, include cooks, cleaners, a driver, an administrative officer, and IT personnel. He stated that they had not been paid for four months.
I urge all the staff to resolve things amicably as a strike cannot solve anything.
“I questioned the institute why the salaries remain unpaid. The funds come from students’ fees, deposited in the bank,” Paul said.
The Institute Principal, Erneo Sabeko, acknowledged that the staff stopped working on Friday, forcing the administration to hire temporary workers to provide essential services.
“A meeting is scheduled for next week to determine the way forward,” he said.
Sabeko admitted that salaries from October to January remained unpaid due to insufficient funds in the institute’s bank account.
The Deputy Principal and Academic Master, Peter Lony, explained that the administration has been engaging Eden Bank to resolve the issue, but has been unable to withdraw cash.
“The bank says there is no money available. We requested staff to provide their account details for direct payment, but they insist on receiving cash,” he stated.
The strike has disrupted normal operations, and it remains unclear when the matter will be resolved.
Isaac Luate, a driver, said they were demanding three months’ salary and were yet to receive any clear communication from the school.
“We met with the management and presented our demands. The Dean informed us that the institution is struggling financially, but since there is no clear response. We have suspended our duties until next week,” Luate said.
“The administration keeps telling us there is no money in the bank,” he added.
“My message is simple—workers should receive their rightful salaries. Once we are paid, we will return to work as usual.”
Justin Beko reiterated that they were demanding three months’ salary arrears and a contract extension for February.
“We need clarity on what is happening. There is no sign of resignation, but the Eden Bank agent is not favoring us with the rate of SSP390,000,” Beko said.
He urged the administration to resolve the issue swiftly so that the support staff can return to work.
“The school has told us not to report until the issue is resolved. They said no one should enter the premises on Monday,” Beko concluded.