The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) condemns the JS Group’s illegal
sacking without notice or pay of more than 100 staff at Pakistan’s Business Day newspaper.
According to
IFJ affiliate the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), the Karachi-based national
English daily was closed suddenly on February 27.
All staff were reportedly locked out
of the paper’s premises. Many had worked at the paper for more than four years.
“The IFJ is appalled by the complete
disregard shown by Business Day’s
owners for their staff and for Pakistan’s
labour laws, and demands that governing authorities hold the owners accountable
in accordance with the law and common decency,” IFJ General Secretary Aidan White said.
The PFUJ deplored the failure of
Pakistan’s Labour Department to take action against the paper’s owners, saying the
sackings and lock-out were illegal and contrary to the provisions of labour laws.
JS
Group did not seek permission from the department before locking out staff,
although the law requires that such action be notified to the department and
await a labour court ruling, the PFUJ said.
The newspaper began publication
almost four years ago with promises of ensuring quality journalism by providing
a fair working environment and decent wages for its staff.
The IFJ joins the PFUJ in demanding that
the Sindh provincial government take immediate action to make the paper’s owners
comply with labour laws against arbitrary dismissal and to ensure full and just
compensation to all Business Day employees.
For
further information contact IFJ Asia-Pacific
on +612 9333 0919
The IFJ
represents over 600,000 journalists in 125 countries