DHAKA, July 3, 2018 (BSS) – Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) and Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) today smelled a “plot” to upset the process for newsmen’s wage enhancement as an expected gazette was yet to
be published proposed by the 9th Wage Board five months ago.
In a joint statement, BFUJ President Manjurul Ahsan Bulbul and its Secretary General Omar Faruq, and DUJ President Abu Zafar Surja and its General Secretary Sohel Haider Chowdhury condemned the dillydally of the
Newspapers Owners’ Association of Bangladesh (NOAB) in implementing the directives of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in this regard.
“The representatives of NOAB earlier attended the inaugural meeting of the 9th wage board in presence of Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu and announced dearness allowance…but, suddenly NOAB started hatching conspiracy to procrastinate the 9th wage Board making the whole process questionable,”
the statement reads.
Expressing grave concern over the sluggish process of the ministry concerned to declare dearness allowance for journalists and employees of newspapers and news agencies, they alleged that a vested quarter was trying
to create unstable situation in mass media prior to the next general election.
“People of all other professions are enjoying all sorts of benefits in many ways, but the media people are being deprived of getting their rights,” the statement said.
The journalist leaders urged the authorities concerned to announce dearness allowance for journalists and workers of newspapers and news agencies and publish a gazette notification immediately.
Bangladesh Federal Union of Newspapers Press Workers (BFUNPW) and Bangladesh Sangbadpatra Karmachari Ferderation (BSKF), in a joint statement, also condemned the dillydally process of the 9th wage board.
BFUNPW President M Alamgir Hossain Khan and its Secretary General M Kamal Uddin, and BSKF President Motiur Rahman Talukder and its Secretary General M Khairul Islam demanded immediate implementation of the 9th wage
board.
On January 29 last, the government constituted the 9th Wage Board to propose enhanced salary and other benefits for newsmen and employees of newspapers and news agencies.