Public University Lecturers Threaten Strike Over Delayed Research Allowances

Lecturers from all public universities have issued a 21-day ultimatum to the government, threatening to lay down their tools if long-overdue research and teaching allowances are not paid in full.

The staff unions allege that the government has failed to honor a collective bargaining agreement signed three years ago. “How do they expect quality research and teaching when we are demoralized and financially strained?” asked the leader of the lecturers’ forum. A strike would disrupt the upcoming end-of-semester examinations for thousands of students.