The Ministry of Higher of Education has appealed to striking workers at the National Institute for Scientific and Industrial Research (NISIR) to give more time to government as it mobilises resources to clear their three months’ salary arrears.

On Wednesday this week, workers at NISIR branches in Chalimbana, Chilanga, Kitwe and head office in Lusaka resolved to go on an indefinite strike following the failure by management to pay them their three months salaries within 48 hours.

But in an interview with Phoenix News, Higher Education Minister Brian Mushimba who could not define the exact time needed to raise the said resources assured that his ministry is taking the plight of the workers seriously.

Dr. Mushimba said the delay in paying the NISIR workers is due to delays in drawing money from the treasury and that measures have been put in place to ensure that they are paid as quickly as possible.

In the last 11 months, payment of workers’ salaries at NISIR has been erratic and holding of meetings between management and union officials has become a norm before workers are paid.

PHOENIX NEWS