The IFJ wrote to the President of Pakistan in the following Letter:
8 October 2003
General Pervez Musharraf
President and Chief Executive of Pakistan
Via Email: CE@pak.gov.pk
Dear General Musharraf,
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), the global organisation of journalists representing over 500,000 journalists worldwide, is deeply concerned about the excessive delay tactics employed by the All Newspaper Employers Society (APNS) and the Council of Pakistan Newspapers Editors (CPNE) in the implementation of the Seventh Wage Board decision, announced on 8 October 2001, particularly in relation to journalists.
According to information received from our affiliate, the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), newspaper owners across the country are failing to implement the decision, issued two years ago while some, mainly regional newspapers, have not even implemented the Sixth Wage Board decision, despite repeated calls from the national assembly, provincial assemblies and the PFUJ to do so.
The IFJ supports the PFUJ's calls for the Government of Pakistan to:
Appoint Labour Inspectors unders section 20 of the Newspaper Employees (Conditions of Service) Act 1973 to ensure that newspaper workers are not exploited and not subjected to unfair labour practices.
The IFJ firmly believes that press freedom cannot thrive when journalists do not have adequate wages and conditions. Therefore we call upon your Government to implement the recommendations from the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists to ensure that legally-binding minimum wages and conditions are implemented.
Yours sincerely,
Christopher Warren
President, IFJ
CC. Mr. Shaikh Rasheed
Minister of Information
Government of Pakistan
Via Email: Infominister@pak.gov.pk
CC. Mr. Anwer Mahmood
Secretary Information
Government of Pakistan
Via Email: minform@isb.comsats.net.pk
CC. Mr. Sattar Lalika
Minister of Labour
Government of Pakistan
Via Email: seclab58@hotmail.com
The IFJ Wrote to the Newspaper Employers Associations in the following letters:
8 October 2003
Mr. Mir Shakilur-Rehman
President
Council of Pakistan Newspapers Editors (CPNE)
Via Email: theapns@hotmail.com
Dear Mr Shakilur-Rehman,
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), the global organisation of journalists representing over 500,000 journalists worldwide, is deeply concerned about the excessive delay tactics employed by your organisation in the implementation of the Seventh Wage Board decision, announced on 8 October 2001, particularly in relation to journalists.
According to information received from our affiliate, the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), newspaper owners across the country have failed to implement a two year old wage decision, while some, mainly regional newspapers, have not even implemented the Sixth Wage Board decision, despite repeated calls from the national assembly, provincial assemblies and the PFUJ to do so. This has resulted in media workers not having received a wage increase in over eight years.
The IFJ reminds the CPNE that the Seventh Wage decision is legally binding under the Newspapers Employers (Conditions of Service) Act 1973 passed by the National Assembly.
Representatives of both the CPNE and the APNS agreed to the Seventh Wage Board decision in October 8, 2001. Two years later it is time for both organizations to implement the agreement that they legally are bound by.
The IFJ firmly believes that press freedom cannot thrive when journalists do not have adequate wages and conditions. Therefore we call upon the CPNE to implement the seventh Wage Bard Decision immediately fulfilling their legal obligation to do so.
Yours sincerely,
Christopher Warren
President, IFJ
and:
8 October 2003
Arif Nizami
President
All Pakistan Newspaper Society (APNS)
Via Email: editor@nation.com.pk
Dear Mr Arif Nizami,
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), the global organisation of journalists representing over 500,000 journalists worldwide, is deeply concerned about the excessive delay tactics employed by your organisation in the implementation of the Seventh Wage Board decision, announced on 8 October 2001, particularly in relation to journalists.
According to information received from our affiliate, the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), newspaper owners across the country have failed to implement a two year old wage decision, while some, mainly regional newspapers, have not even implemented the Sixth Wage Board decision, despite repeated calls from the national assembly, provincial assemblies and the PFUJ to do so. This has resulted in media workers not having received a wage increase in over eight years.
The IFJ reminds the APNS that the Seventh Wage decision is legally binding under the Newspapers Employers (Conditions of Service) Act 1973 passed by the National Assembly.
Representatives of both the CPNE and the APNS agreed to the Seventh Wage Board decision in October 8, 2001. Two years later it is time for both organizations to implement the agreement that they legally are bound by.
The IFJ firmly believes that press freedom cannot thrive when journalists do not have adequate wages and conditions. Therefore we call upon the APNS to implement the Seventh Wage Bard Decision immediately fulfilling their legal obligation to do so.
Yours sincerely,
Christopher Warren
President, IFJ
Recommended action:
Send appeals:
Appeals:
General Pervez Musharraf
President and Chief Executive of Pakistan
Via Email: CE@pak.gov.pk
CC. Mr. Shaikh Rasheed
Minister of Information
Government of Pakistan
Via Email: Infominister@pak.gov.pk
CC. Mr. Anwer Mahmood
Secretary Information
Government of Pakistan
Via Email: minform@isb.comsats.net.pk
CC. Mr. Sattar Lalika
Minister of Labour
Government of Pakistan
Via Email: seclab58@hotmail.com
Mr. Mir Shakilur-Rehman
President
Council of Pakistan Newspapers Editors (CPNE)
Via Email: theapns@hotmail.com
Arif Nizami
President
All Pakistan Newspaper Society (APNS)
Via Email: editor@nation.com.pk
For more information please contact Jacqui Park at ifj-asia@alliance.org.au
Please copy appeals to the IFJ Asia Office at ifj-asia@alliance.org.au