Academic staff at public tertiary institutions in Sierra Leone have begun an indefinite strike over pay and working conditions, following the failure to resolve a dispute over revised employment conditions and salaries.
The Union of Academic Staff Associations (UASA) directed its members to withdraw their services from 00:00 on Wednesday, 16 September, potentially disrupting lectures and other academic activities across public tertiary institutions.
The union is demanding the immediate implementation of the reviewed Conditions of Service for academic staff and consideration of a 100% salary increase.
The dispute follows a 21-day strike notice issued in August. The notice was dated 13 August and took effect on 14 August, with 15 September set as the proposed date for industrial action if the demands remained unresolved.
Further engagements took place during the period with the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education, the Conference of Vice Chancellors and Principals and the Wages and Compensation Commission.
The talks did not produce an agreement on the two principal demands.
The latest industrial action comes amid longstanding concerns over salaries, employment conditions and other benefits for academic staff in Sierra Leone’s public tertiary education sector.
The Wages and Compensation Commission, established under the Wages and Compensation Commission Act 2023, is responsible for determining, harmonising and reviewing public-sector wages and compensation, as well as advising government on related policies.
The dispute could affect teaching, examinations, research and other academic activities at public universities, colleges and other publicly funded tertiary institutions.
The union has indicated that it remains open to further negotiations and could return to the negotiating table if progress is made towards resolving the outstanding issues.
The industrial action is scheduled to continue until further notice.
