The LUMS management and its relationship with janitorial staff is once again in the spotlight on social media, as social media users have taken to Twitter to compare the university’s treatment of its senior figures with that of its workers. As demands for justice for the janitorial staff at LUMS rise again, social media users have turned the spotlight on the privileges and perks afforded to figures such as the Vice Chancellor (VC) of the university – who, they claim, makes “75 lakh” (Rs. 7.5 million per month). Meanwhile, janitors are paid around Rs. 18,000 per month.
A number of LUMS students and alumni have in the past expressed solidarity with janitorial staff in their disputes with the university management, taking the view that the elite institution has an exploitative attitude towards such workers.
This month, social media discussion on LUMS policies towards its staff intensified after provost Dr Farhat Haq left the university, leading to controversy: some claimed that she had been fired, while an email from Vice-Chancellor Dr. Arshad Ahmad claimed that Dr Haq had “moved on from LUMS” and resigned. As the first female to hold this role at LUMS, Dr. Haq was selected after a rigorous international search process and a unanimous recommendation by the widely represented Search Committee.
Just came to know a few facts today;#LUMS VC’s monthly salary is 75 lacs.
Compare it with Janitor’s salary that is 18k/month.— Maroof Taj (@LAutreDeMaroof) December 21, 2021
LUMS trending again for all of the wrong reasons. Until it stops being run as a vanity project for businessmen & actually functions as an educational institution, & until there is transparency about salaries, greater pay equity & job security for all, such trends will continue.
— Nida Kirmani (@NidaKirmani) December 22, 2021
For those who thinks LUMS VC is of a certain “stature” and hence “deserves” the 75 lacks he gets per month..
1. Beloved is actually indicted in a case worth PKR 67 million. For actively jeopardizing the proceedings of Dr Samia’s case of harassment.
— Areeba Fatima (@AreebaFatimaa) December 22, 2021
