By: Rosemary Eru Otiwa
University of Jos Zion hostel cleaners have finally suspended the strike they embarked on last week.
The cleaners embarked on a strike last week as a result of the unpaid salaries for over the last 9 months.
Speaking with a cleaner, she bitterly stated that life has not been easy for her since the demise of her husband which automatically makes her the breadwinner of the family and therefore she must provide for them, especially the children, “They never pay us for nine good months and I dey suffer because things no dey easy and na only here I dey get money for my family,” she lamented.
Another cleaner also revealed, “I have been trekking to school to clean the hostel because of my love for this job despite not being paid. I cannot afford to let the hostel occupants stay in a dirty environment. That is why I always come on duty,” she said.
Mama Emma noted that this has never happened before since she started working in the university and calls on the school management to pay them their withheld salaries because that is their only source of income. She said, “My son has been sent away from school because I am unable to pay his school fees, I am pleading with the school management to do something because I and my kids are hungry and suffering.”
The Matron then confirmed that the school management is doing everything in their power to make sure these cleaners are being paid,“ we are sorry for the delay in salary payments for the past 9 months and we understand what the cleaners are going through and she urges them to please give them little time as the management is arranging settlements of salaries soon.”
The cleaners agreed to suspend the strike because the contractor asked them to. according to them, they will revert on Monday if they do not hear anything from the school management. Apart from the withheld salaries, they are also asking for an increment in their salary because it is long overdue and the economy is not friendly.
The ten thousand naira they are paid is not enough so it should be increased to fifteen, twenty or thereabout. And if this is not met, they will be compelled to go on another strike “We won’t back down this time until our demands are met, “They affirmed.
