IIUI teachers observe strike

The News, Tuesday, December 02, 2008By Our correspondent

http://www.thenews.com.pk/print1.asp?id=150184

Islamabad: A token strike was observed by the faculty members of International Islamic University against the financial and administrative mismanagement of the higher authorities of the university.

The university teachers and heads of various departments gathered in front of the main block of the university to register their protest and demanded the twenty percent increase in their salaries as promised by the government in the last fiscal budget. All of the teachers were wearing black bands around their arms.

Addressing the gathering of teachers, the President of Academic Staff Association (ASA) of the university, pressed the university authorities to meet the legitimate demands of the teachers’ community. The President of ASA said that the additional appointments of different individuals on lucrative posts were badly affecting the financial health of the university.

This protest was the first phase of the series of protests chalked out by the Association in consultation with entire academic staff a couple of days ago, told one of the ASA members. He added that in the next phase the teachers’ community had planned to hold press conferences and protests if their demands were not met.

It is pertinent to mention that almost all the universities in public as well as private sector have given a 20% increase in the salaries of their employees except IIUI, which claims to bear international character and Islamic following.