Liberia News: UMU in Turmoil

Liberia-United Methodist University (UMU) is presently in turmoil in relation to a go-slow protest by its staffers in demand of payment of their outstanding wages, said to be overdue for up to five months.

The action has led to the indefinite closure of indefinitely, causing significant disruptions of students’ lessons.

The protest began early Monday morning September 16, coinciding with the official start of the 2023-2024 second academic semester.

The campus remains shuttered as staffers continue their demonstration.

“We are not foolish; it’s unacceptable to owe us four to five months’ salary and still expect us to work,” one of the aggrieved staff members said.

“Bishop Samuel J. Quire, Jr. met with us last Saturday and promised to address three months of the arrears.

However, he unexpectedly informed us this morning that only one month will be paid. We will remain closed until our full salaries are settled.”

The protest has left students, who arrived for early classes, in a state of confusion and frustration as staffers are seeing roaming the campus, and urging students to return home because the institution will remain closed until the issue is resolved.

The staff has placed the blame squarely on Bishop Quire’s handling of the situation.

Bishop Quire, who was elected to the episcopacy in 2016 and serves as the Resident Bishop of the Liberia Area, has not yet responded to requests for comment. Efforts to reach him for a statement have so far been unsuccessful.

The situation remains fluid, and further developments are expected as the investigation into the staff’s grievances continues.

Wilson