The International Federation of
Journalists (IFJ), today welcomed the successful deal the Yemeni Journalists
Syndicate (YJS), an IFJ affiliate, has reached with the authorities which will
see a dramatic change in working conditions for journalists in the state-owned
media.
The long-awaited agreement, a major
breakthrough, comes into force immediately. In early 2009, the government
agreed to the pay rises and improved contracts following negotiations with the
YJS, which ended a partial strike of journalists working in the four
government-owned media, the Saba News agency, the El Tharwa, the Al
Jumhureya newspaper and the 14
October newspaper.
The deal was due to be implemented this
year but was left out of the general budget for 2010 sparking a strike earlier
this month involving up to 1500 journalists.
"This is a stunning victory for Yemeni colleagues, we congratulate them," said Jim Boumelha, IFJ President. "It shows that when journalists are united and fight
together they can win. This landmark agreement should set the benchmark for journalists'
unions leading the fight to improve working conditions for their members across
the region."
With agreement assured, the YJS called
off the strike yesterday. It also hailed the support shown by the Yemeni
journalists from the independent media to their colleagues of the state-owned
sector.
While the battle for decent work was
being won, the crisis of news safety continues with two journalists shot in the
southern Yemeni city of Ad Dali
on 17 January, by unknown gunmen. AbdulRahman Almohamadi and Mohammed Mohsin
are in hospital with injuries to their limbs and the IFJ and the YJS have
called on the Yemeni government to investigate the incident where the two were
shot in a restaurant, while at lunch with two others.
"We fully condemn such acts of violence," said Boumelha. "Yemeni
authorities remain unwilling to protect journalists. There is an increasingly vicious pattern
of violence against Yemeni journalists who face an almost daily risk of
being targeted and gunned down by the enemies of press freedom. We demand an
urgent investigation that will see those responsible brought to justice."
For more information contact + 32 2 235 22 07
The IFJ represents over 600,000 journalists in 125 countries worldwide
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