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."

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The IFJ represents over 600,000 journalists in 125 countries worldwide