Solidarity urges minister to intervene over Unisa staff

Solidarity has called on the Minister of Higher Education and Training, Buti Manamela, to urgently intervene amid the growing crisis over working conditions at the University of South Africa (Unisa).

The request follows reports and feedback from employees which, according to Solidarity, point to a disturbing pattern of burnout, excessive workloads and fear of victimisation.

In its letter to Manamela, Solidarity called for an independent assessor and assessment panel to be appointed in terms of sections 43, 44 and 45 of Chapter 6 of the Higher Education Act.

Such an investigation should establish the extent of the problems, assess their impact on employees and make recommendations on measures that should be implemented at Unisa.

See the letter to the minister here.

Solidarity also wrote to Unisa’s vice-chancellor, Prof Puleng LenkaBula, on 24 August, demanding answers from the university itself.

Among other things, the union wants to know what steps Unisa has taken after concerns about employees’ working conditions and occupational health and safety were previously brought to the university’s attention.

According to Dr Dirk Hermann, Chief Executive Officer of Solidarity, the time for denial is over. “We initially conducted our own investigation because we did not want to rely solely on media reports. Our own feedback from employees confirms that there is a serious problem here.

“We hear from people struggling under unbearable workloads, staff shortages that are adding to the pressure, experienced employees considering early retirement, and people who are even turning to medical or psychological support to cope with the pressure.

“The minister cannot now say that he did not know. We have formally brought the evidence to his attention and pointed him to the mechanism provided by law for intervention. Action must now be taken,” says Hermann.

Among the concerns raised by staff and brought to the attention of the minister and vice-chancellor by Solidarity are the reduction in the number of markers and online tutors, which is contributing to unsustainable workloads. Numerous vacant posts also remain unfilled, while existing staff are being forced to take on additional responsibilities.

Employees with decades of experience are even considering early retirement.

The feedback received by Solidarity indicates that staff are nearing a breaking point, experiencing burnout and feeling close to collapse.

According to Hermann, however, one of the most serious findings is the fear among employees of speaking out about the conditions themselves.

“We had to guarantee anonymity in the feedback because employees are afraid of victimisation.

“That in itself is a serious warning sign. A university cannot have a healthy working environment when employees feel they have to remain silent for fear of what might happen to them if they speak out,” says Hermann.

Solidarity also welcomes the recent judgment of the Pretoria High Court after Unisa approached the court in an attempt to stop certain reporting by journalist Edwin Naidu and EdNews.Africa concerning the alleged management crisis at the university.

Judge Colleen Collis struck Unisa’s application from the urgent roll and ordered the university to pay punitive legal costs. Among other things, Unisa had sought the removal of certain articles and an order preventing further reporting.

“The answer to serious allegations concerning a public institution is not fewer questions, but more answers, greater transparency and a proper investigation,” says Hermann.

“Unisa’s courageous employees have started speaking out. Solidarity has now taken their voice to the minister. The next step should not be yet another denial, but intervention.”