UNZA lecturers give govt ultimatum, threaten industrial action over payments 

The University of Zambia Lecturers and Researchers’ Union (UNZALARU) has accused the government of neglecting its funding obligations to the institution of higher learning, forcing it to operate under unsustainable pressure.

UNZALARU President Andrew Phiri says poor and unstable funding from the government has forced UNZA to delay payment of salaries, resulted in non-payment of retirees and made it hard for the university to maintain basic infrastructure.

Addressing the media this morning, Phiri pointed out that sanitation facilities at the institution are in a bad shape.

He said the government owes the University of Zambia -UNZA over k1.3 billion in terminal benefits alone, a debt it says is threatening the institution’s survival.

He added that the amount owed includes unpaid gratuities, pensions, and contributions to statutory bodies dating back as far as 2016.

Meanwhile, Phiri has disclosed that the Higher Education Loans and Scholarships Board -HELSB owes the university around K100 million in unpaid fees from the government sponsored students who have already completed their academic year.

He said the union has since issued a deadline of 31st December 2025 for its demands to be met, warning that failure to resolve the crisis may lead to a protest.