By Jones Gadama
In a last-minute move, members of staff at Mzuzu University (Mzuni) have cancelled protests they had scheduled for today over delays in the payment of their service gratuity.
The staff members, represented by the Mzuni Academic Staff Union (MUASU) and Mzuni Non-Academic Staff Union (MUNASTU), had threatened to demonstrate today due to the government’s delay in settling the gratuity payments, which were halted in December 2024.
According to Misheck Banda, spokesperson of MUASU, the union has resolved to suspend the planned protests because they are engaged in discussions with the government to settle their concerns as soon as possible.
This development comes after the staff members petitioned President Lazarus Chakwera on April 11, 2025, to help expedite the process of paying their service gratuity.
The staff members had taken to the streets on April 11, 2025, to protest the delayed payment of their gratuity, a benefit that has been pending for months.
The protests highlighted the growing frustration among university staff regarding the delayed payments.
In a statement, Banda expressed optimism that the dialogue with the government would yield positive results, prompting the union to call off the protests.
The Mzuni staff union feels betrayed by the government’s actions, especially considering that other universities like UNIMA, KUHeS, and MUBAS have received their gratuity payments seamlessly.
The union’s decision to engage in dialogue with the government marks a significant step towards resolving the impasse.
By opting for dialogue, the staff members hope to find a swift solution to the delayed payment of their gratuity.
As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how the government’s response will address the concerns of the Mzuni staff.
However, the fact that the union has agreed to dialogue is a positive development that could lead to a mutually beneficial solution.
The staff members are eagerly awaiting a resolution to this matter, which has been ongoing for months.
The cancellation of the protests by Mzuni staff is a welcome development that showcases the power of dialogue in resolving disputes.
The government and the university staff must work together to ensure that the gratuity payments are made promptly, addressing the concerns of the staff members and promoting a stable working environment at the university.
