Controversial posting: SUOF threatens work boycott

Public universities’ staff plans protests against 'govt interference'

HYDERABAD: As problems continue to plague government universities across the province, Sindh Universities' Officers Federation (SUOF), an association that represents the staff of the varsities, threatened the government with a work boycott starting Thursday, August 22, after a meeting at Mehran University of Engineering and Technology (MUET).

Officers in all government universities will wear black armbands during the first week of the protest, while in the second week, they will temporarily boycott their administrative responsibilities.

The fresh wave of protests began after the Sindh government appointed Dr Prof Abdul Waheed Umrani as MUET's registrar. The federation opposed the intervention of the provincial government in administrative appointments and the decision to select a teacher, instead of a career administration officer, for the post.

The Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Association (Fapuasa) supported SUOF's stance on the involvement of the provincial government in administrative appointments. However, the two organisations differed on the matter of elevating a university teacher to an administrative post.

The issue is crucial for efficient working of higher education institutes, argued SUOF chairperson Riasat Ali Kubar in a press statement issued by MUET's officers association.

If the government doesn't take back the appointment order of the registrar, we will boycott administrative work and go on the path of agitation, stated Kubar.

"SUOF will decide about the complete work boycott at its September 5 meeting at NED University in Karachi," informed Mehran University Officers Welfare Association president Sagheer Memon, adding that we have given enough time to the government and university [MUET] administration.

We approached the authorities for meetings and offered negotiations but they kept ignoring us, said Memon.

Meanwhile, Fapuasa continued its daily token-boycott of administrative duties for the eighth day on Thursday.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 20^th, 2016.