Dhaka: Journalist leaders today 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.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the demand was made at a discussion marking the second anniversary of the July Mass Uprising, organized by the Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) and the Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) at Jatiya Press Club (JPC). Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir addressed the program 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 highlighted the historic role of the journalists' union from the controversial 1/11 in 2007 to August 5, 2024, in establishing the rule of law, good governance, voting rights, independent journalism, and protecting the dignity and rights of the people. He emphasized the need to recognize the contributions of dedicated and unemployed journalists who played a role in the movement that led to the fall of the fascist government.
Explaining the rationale for forming the 10th Wage Board, Alam noted that the Ninth Wage Board, announced in 2019, was issued in a controversial manner, and despite the end of its tenure, journalists remain deprived of a new salary structure. He stressed that the 10th wage board is necessary to ensure fair salaries, allowances, and job security, 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 discussion was also addressed by principal information officer Syed Abdal Ahmed, JPC president Hasan Hafiz, eminent journalist and editor of Dainik Pratidiner Bangladesh Maruf Kamal Khan Sohel, and Jugantor Editor Abdul Hai Shikdar. Former DUJ president Elahi Newaz Khan Saju, publicity and publications secretary Shahjahan Saju, organizing secretary Erfanul Haque Nahid, DUJ vice-president Rashedul Haque, Organising Secretary Saeed Khan, and leaders of various journalists' organizations were also present.
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.