By: Alieu Ceesay
The newly transformed University of Science, Engineering, and Technology (USET) staff, formerly Gambia Technical Training Institute, has officially begun a sit-down strike. They accuse the University authorities of unresolved financial liabilities, including unfulfilled contributions to staff welfare accounts and non-payment of arrears to the USET Credit Union, which has rendered it insolvent.
The lecturers and staff say they can no longer endure the financial burden caused by the institution’s authorities.
The distressed staff announced their protest to journalists at a press briefing organized by the Staff Welfare Association (SWA-USET). During the conference, the institution’s profound financial woes were disclosed, unveiling a crisis that has resulted in staff grappling with poverty and uncertainty.
Samuel Mendy, the group’s spokesperson and USET employee, explained how the financial strain had prevented staff from accessing their savings.
“Another major issue is the incomplete payment of arrears owed to our Credit Union and the default in depositing the monthly deductions to the members of the Credit Union, even though the deductions continue. USET owes the Credit Union an amount of D1,432,036. This situation has rendered our GTTI Credit Union insolvent, making it virtually impossible for members to withdraw their savings,” Mendy stated.
The SWA-USET Public Relations Officer (PRO) highlighted concerns regarding unpaid allowances and the failure to pay staff income taxes.
The PRO said this lapse has affected staff and caused revenue losses to the state. The staff retirement award, the pension scheme, has not been paid to Social Security, Housing, and Financial Cooperation since September 2024. “This is worrisome because staff expect this pension money upon retirement.”
Mendy also revealed that USET management had segregated staff, with a select few benefiting from a new USET pay scale while the majority remain on the outdated GTTI pay scale. “This is too painful for staff. It proves the lack of concern, commitment to motivating staff, and condescending attitude of the USET leadership,” Mendy lamented.
According to staff, the delay in salary payments has become a tradition at USET. Now, they are on a sit-down strike, vowing not to return to work until their demands are met. This strike will result in a complete halt of classes across all USET centers nationwide.
Efforts to resolve the situation through consultations with the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science, and Technology (MoHERST) have failed. Mendy expressed frustration, stating that “There is no fund,” a ministry comment that he believes has become a typical response to financial concerns.
Other contributing factors to USET’s financial crisis are the non-payment of MoHERST scholarship students, the non-payment of Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education (MoBSE) HTC-sponsored students, and delays in paying for pre-financed activities. Additionally, the expansion of USET’s satellite campuses has further strained the institution’s financial resources.
As the strike wears on, the USET staff members are committed to their efforts to amplify their voices while students and the public anxiously anticipate a resolution to the escalating crisis.
