Dhaka: Representatives of newspaper employees and press workers today urged the government to form the 10th wage board for journalists, press workers, and general employees working in the newspaper industries. A delegation from the Bangladesh Newspaper Workers Federation and Bangladesh Federal Union of Newspaper Press Workers placed this demand during a meeting with Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon at his Secretariat office, according to a press release.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, union leaders presented a series of demands, including the full implementation of the 9th Wage Board Award and the immediate announcement of the 10th Wage Board for media workers. They also called for the creation of a welfare trust for newspaper employees and press workers, the formulation of a comprehensive policy for the newspaper industry, arrangements for the payment of outstanding dues, and strict enforcement of labor laws across the sector.
The minister listened attentively to the demands and assured the delegation that the issues would be addressed through discussions with relevant stakeholders. Union leaders, including federation president Matiur Rahman Talukder and general secretary Khairul Islam, as well as press workers' union president Alamgir Hossain Khan and general secretary Mostak Ahmed, were present at the meeting.