Journalists demand immediate formation of 10th wage board
The speakers urged the information minister to fulfill the long-standing legitimate demands.
Journalist leaders today (3 August) demanded of the government to form the 10th wage board immediately to increase the salaries and other facilities for the newsmen and employees working in the newspaper, news agencies and other organizations of the media as the tenure of ninth wage board award had been matured two years back.
They also urged the government to ensure job security for the journalists and employees of the industry.
The demand was made at a discussion marking the second anniversary of the July Mass Uprising, organised by the Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) and the Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) at Jatiya Press Club (JPC).
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir addressed the programme as the chief guest while Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon addressed it as special guest.
DUJ President Md. Shahidul Islam presided over the meeting while its General Secretary Khurshid Alam conducted.
BFUJ Secretary General Kader Gani Chowdhury presented the keynote paper titled 'The July Uprising and Our Expectations', while BFUJ President Obaidur Rahman Shaheen delivered the welcome address.
Speaking at the discussion, DUJ Joint Secretary Md. Didarul Alam said, "From the controversial 1/11 in 2007 to 5 August, 2024, the journalists' union played a historic role in establishing the rule of law, good governance, voting rights, independent journalism, and protecting the dignity and rights of the people.
"Through it was a continuous struggle, the student-public movement emerged in July 2024, which ultimately led to the fall of the fascist government on 5 August. The time has now come to properly recognise the contributions of dedicated and unemployed journalists who played a role in the movement," he added.
Explaining the rationality for forming the 10th Wage Board, he said, "The Ninth Wage Board, announced in 2019, was issued by the then government in a highly controversial manner. Since then, eight years have passed. Although the tenure of the previous Wage Board ended long ago, journalists are still being deprived of a new salary structure. Under these circumstances, it is imperative to announce the 10th Wage Board without delay."
He stressed that implementation of the 10th wage board would ensure fair salaries and allowances, job security, and financial benefits for journalists, which are essential for building an independent and strong media.
BFUJ Vice-President Muhammad Khairul Bashar also called for the formation and announcement of the 10th Wage Board to fulfill the long-standing legitimate demands of journalists and media employees.
The speakers urged the information minister to intervene for the early announcement of the 10th Wage Board to fulfill the long-standing legitimate demands of the country's journalist community.
