Rumbek University staff continue strike despite one-month pay

The academic and non-academic staff of Rumbek University and technology (RUST) have vowed to continue work boycott all their salary arrears are cleared.

The worker maintained the stance despite the university settling their one month pay.

One of the lecturers, Kot Manyuon Thuc, told Radio Tamazuj on Wednesday that they would continue with their industrial action of indefinitely.

“We are on strike and have not conducted any lectures since the opening of university on October 1 for a new academic year.

“We received a one-month salary, but it is not enough. It cannot clear our debts,” he said.

Thuc said though they were desperate, they had run out of patience and would not resume work unless the government clears all the arrears.

“What I want to tell the government is that we pay our taxes and the revenue was flowing, and the government was also getting international financial. We are not going to change our position this time around,” he said.

A teaching assistant, Kok Jacob Kok, said they had gone for 10 months without pay hence their decision to boycott work.

He said they would, from time to time hold meetings to share views on the way forward.

Dut Majok Kuruai said they had no alternative but to remain on strike.

“We will not change our minds. We are are going to remain at home,” Kuruai said

“Yes, of course if we received 6 months and above than we will just compromise and make a follow up seriously.

He said the money that they are receiving is for December,2023 and that means we have right to receive it and remain at home because we worked for that month.