By Ndey Sowe
Staff of the University of Applied Science, Engineering, and Technology (USET), are grappling with financial liabilities that have left them feeling financially oppressed and socially disempowered, according to Shamuel Mendy, Public Relations Officer (PRO) of USET Staff Welfare Association.
In a press conference held at the entrance of the university on Thursday, 3rd October 2024, staff voiced their deep frustrations, marking the first public protest since the institution transitioned from the Gambia Technical Training Institute (GTTI) to USET in 2022. Mendy emphasized that these financial difficulties have particularly affected subordinate staff, trapping them in a cycle of impoverishment.
“The staff are disheartened by several financial discrepancies that have continued to worsen,” Mendy said, outlining the core issues causing unrest:
Unpaid Welfare Contributions: Since March 2023, the institution has failed to deposit the Staff Welfare monthly contributions, despite deductions continuing, accumulating a debt of D262,800.
Credit Union Crisis: USET owes the staff Credit Union D1,432,036, rendering it insolvent and preventing members from accessing their savings.
Unpaid Income Taxes: Staff discovered that USET has not paid income taxes since August 2023, although deductions are made. This oversight has caused harassment for staff and deprived the government of critical revenue.
Unpaid Lecturers: Contracted lecturers in the Ordinary National Diploma program have not been paid for six months, despite completing their courses, with D72,000 owed to them.
Staff gratuity payments to the Social Security and Housing Finance Corporation have been missing since September 2023, worrying employees about their future pensions.
With the introduction of a new pay scale for select staff, the majority are stuck on the outdated GTTI pay scale, exacerbating frustration.
The staff also lamented delays in monthly salary payments which have become the norm.
Mendy described these financial missteps as just the “tip of the iceberg,” pointing to reductions in in-country training allowances and overall financial mismanagement. He disclosed that several attempts to resolve the issues with the Ministry of Higher Education and USET leadership had yielded little success.
“On 26th July 2024, the Ministry invited us to discuss our intention to suspend Semester exams if the issues were not resolved. Despite acknowledging the legitimacy of our concerns, the leadership has failed to deliver on promises made,” Mendy stated. Further meetings on 28th July and 8th September produced similar outcomes.
On 26th September, staff issued an ultimatum, but communication remains sparse.
“We will explore every avenue to ensure our voices are heard,” Mendy declared.
The staff have since laid down their tools and halted work until the financial grievances are addressed by the authorities.
The situation remains unresolved as USET staff await a response from the Ministry and university leadership.
