Libya’s General Union of University Faculty Members has given Prime Minister Abdel-Hamid Dbaiba, 45 days to initiate financial authorization procedures for faculty members and teaching assistants who have been granted study-abroad missions. The union has threatened to suspend studies, and enter into an open sit-in at all higher education and technical institutions, if their demands are not met.
In a statement, the union members expressed their “disappointment with the government’s inaction and demanded that their outstanding financial dues be paid.” They stated that they have been awaiting the implementation of the financial authorization procedures for months, despite promises made by the government.
They expressed their willingness to take whatever measures are necessary to ensure their financial rights are recognized, and their demands are met.
The General Union of University Faculty Members is a significant body that represents university faculty and teaching assistants across Libya.
Days ago, scores of university assistants and professors across Libya began staging protests. They demanded job equity and their rights to study abroad, amidst major controversy over corruption linked to one of the decisions on student dispatch abroad.
Recently, Libya’s teaching assistant coordination body organized protests in several cities, inviting assistants, seniors, and faculty members to gather in front of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research headquarters in Tripoli.
Meanwhile, the unions in Misrata and Tobruk showcased images of the protests. However, according to Ali Bou Amer, a member of the Libyan University Professors Forum and a faculty member participating in the demonstrations, a number of teaching assistants were prevented from protesting outside the ministry’s headquarters due to security concerns.
He mentioned in an interview with Al-Arabi Al-Jadeed that “security fears prevented many from participating and the turnout was low. Nevertheless, we were barred. Moreover, ministry officials were prepared and conscious of our grievances. A senior ministry official took the initiative to come out and talk to assistants with some promises concerning the ministry’s intention to settle some financial rights.”