Dhaka: Leaders of Bangladesh Sangbadpathro Karmachari Federation (BSKF) and Bangladesh Federal Union of Newspaper Press Workers (BFUNPW) have called for the immediate formation of the 10th wage board for journalists and newspaper employees. They emphasized the urgency of this demand during a joint meeting held at the BSS employees union office in the capital.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the leaders also urged newspaper owners to implement the 9th wage board award, highlighting that it was established nearly five years ago, yet remains unimplemented by many media outlets. The journalist leaders insisted on the immediate reconstitution of the Media Reform Commission, advocating for the inclusion of valid representatives from journalist, worker, and employee federations. They underscored the necessity of implementing an 11-point demand for workers, addressing issues such as workplace harassment, timely payment of salaries and allowances, and the provision of a full bonus before Eid.
Furthermore, the leaders proposed the creation of a new commission comprising representatives from the federations to ensure a more effective media landscape. As part of their campaign to address grievances, a joint human chain and protest program is scheduled to be organized by the two federations on Monday, March 17, at 11 am in front of the Jatiya Press Club.
BSKF President Matiur Rahman Talukder spoke as the key speaker, with BFUNPW President Md Alamgir Hossain Kan presiding over the meeting. The event, conducted by BSKF Secretary General Md Khairul Islam, was attended by Mostaq Ahmed, Md Tanvir Hossain, Mohammad Ali Khan (Apu), Tozamell Haque, Maksudul Ahsan, Rafiqul Islam, Md Jahangir Hossain, Md Ataur Rahman, and Md. Belal Uddin.