There has been an escalation of the industrial action taken by staff at the open campus of the University of the West Indies (UWI) in Jamaica who are represented by the West Indies Group of University Teachers (WIGUT).

Approximately 60 workers are on strike, as they have not received their June salaries.

The workers impacted are academic, senior administrative and professional staff and are based at several locations across the island.

WIGUT says it has instructed its members to take industrial action because the UWI has breached its contractual agreement with staff.

The group adds that as July 2023 salaries are imminent, staff continue to bear the brunt of the non-payment of salaries.

WIGUT president, Professor Paul Brown points to the impact on employees, saying this situation cannot go on.

WIGUT says normalcy will not be restored until staff are paid.

Professor Brown says the strike is to send a clear message to the University of the West Indies.