Dhaka: Journalist unions today in rallies across the country placed a 39-point demand to the government including formation of the 10th wage board and full implementation of the 9th Wage Board Award. The demands of the journalists also include adoption of the 'No Wage Board, No Media' policy and immediate formation of an independent and effective Information Commission.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the journalist leaders emphasized that although the implementation of the 9th Wage Board has been discussed for a long time, it has not been effectively enforced in most media outlets. They stressed the urgency of addressing the rising living costs and called on the government to take swift action to implement the 9th Wage Board Award and establish the 10th Wage Board.
The journalists also advocated for the protection of working journalists and the assurance of press freedom. Their demands extend to granting a two-day weekly holiday, cessation of killings, harassment, and torture of journalists, as well as the trial of murder cases related to journalists, including the Sagar-Runi case. They urged the repeal of laws that restrict press freedom and called for the establishment of a separate labor court specifically for journalists to resolve wage, allowance, and other rights-related claims.
The unions demanded the formulation of a 'Unified National Mass Media Policy' applicable to newspapers, news agencies, radio, television, online platforms, and multimedia. This policy should include separate regulations for each type of media. They also called for a uniform wage board for print, electronic, and other new media.
Journalists further insisted on halting wholesale dismissals and reinstating those who have been dismissed. They advocated for the settlement of all dues or payments within 90 days of the end of service. Additionally, they demanded that all media organizations provide appointment letters and legitimate salaries to their workers.
The journalist leaders highlighted the necessity of quickly formulating a journalist recruitment policy. In the capital, a rally organized by the Bangladesh Federal Journalists Union (BFUJ) and Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) took place on the premises of Jatiya Press Club. BFUJ Secretary General Kader Gani Chowdhury presented the 39-point demand. As part of the program, rallies were also held by journalist unions in Rangpur, Mymensingh, and Rajshahi.