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The University of Zambia Lecturers and Researchers’ Union (UNZALARU) has called on the Government to urgently fulfil its commitment to clear all outstanding terminal benefits owed to UNZA staff, citing delays and conflicting instructions that had created confusion in the payment process.
UNZALARU President, Professor Andrew Phiri, said the government had in July committed to settle all arrears up to 2025 by July 31, 2026 in two phases.
In a statement issued in Lusaka on Tuesday, Phiri said the University received K358 million as the first disbursement and that payments had since commenced.
Phiri, however, expressed concern that the second disbursement had not been released by the deadline, leaving many members who had waited since 2016 still unpaid.
He further raised concerns over the mode of payment being used by University Management, which he said appeared to contradict a recent High Court judgment.
“The instructions issued regarding the mode of payment have created confusion and appear to be inconsistent with the recent High Court judgment on the matter directing the University to adhere to the First-In, First-Out (FIFO) principle in settling terminal benefits,” Phiri said.
He noted that the union was not aware of any formal directive from Government instructing Management to comply with the court order, warning that any departure from the judgment risked undermining the rule of law.
Phiri stated that at a General Meeting held on August 7, 2026, members resolved to demand immediate corrective action from authorities to ensure the process was lawful and transparent.
“Government should issue revised instructions ensuring that the payment of the remainder of the funds already released is undertaken strictly in accordance with the FIFO principle as directed by the High Court,” he demanded.
Phiri raised another key concern on conflicting information on the source of the K358 million, citing differing accounts from the Ministry of Education and the Higher Education Loans and Scholarships Board.
According to Phiri, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education stated on July 1, 2026 that the funds were for pension and gratuity obligations. HELSB, however, had claimed the money was meant to offset student fees arrears.
“These conflicting accounts raise serious concerns and must be urgently resolved as terminal benefits and student sponsorship obligations are distinct financial commitments,” he said.
Phiri argued that if HELSB’s position were correct, it would mean the University used its own student fee resources to pay terminal benefits, while HELSB continues to owe substantial sums for Government-sponsored students.
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He has, therefore, called on HELSB to settle all outstanding student fees arrears from 2025 to date and to remit future sponsorship funds on time.
“HELSB must settle all outstanding student fees arrears owed to the University from 2025 to date. HELSB should ensure the timely remittance of future sponsorship funds, and resolve the confusion around its assertion that funds released for terminal benefits constitute payment of its student fees obligations,” Phiri stated.
Despite the concerns, Phiri said the union appreciated Government’s initial intervention and acknowledged the commencement of payments as a positive step.
He stated that the union had exercised restraint and good faith throughout the process but insisted that commitments must now be honoured without further delay.
“We acknowledge Government’s efforts in releasing the initial allocation towards terminal benefits and greatly appreciate the commitment made to resolve the outstanding obligations. However, these commitments must be honoured fully and without further delay as our members have waited for many years to receive what is rightfully due to them,” Phiri said.
He also clarified the union’s political stance, stating that it remained strictly non-partisan and would continue to engage any Government of the day solely on matters of conditions of service and welfare.
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