The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today expressed its concern about the situation of journalists at the Ukrainian media holding "Glavred" where journalists are on strike for non-payment of their salary.

"The non-payment of wages is a serious violation of workers' rights. It's not just illegal, it's also an attack on journalists' integrity," said Aidan White, IFJ General Secretary.  "We support the demand of striking journalists and our affiliate in Ukraine, the Independent Media Trade Union".

The Glavred media company is owned by businessman Igor Kolomoisky and the Central European Media Enterprises (CME). Its media portfolio includes Glavred, Profile, Telecity and Telekritika magazines, the websites vip.com.ua, Stars.glavred, sport.glavred, Stolitsa.glavred, the newspaper Novaya gazeta, the Citi television channel as well as the UNIAN news agency. The company employs about two hundred journalists and over a quarter of them are on strike because salaries had not been paid since December 2009.

According to press reports in Ukraine, previous owner Oleksandr Tretyakov sold his shares in the company to Mr. Kolomoisky, his partner who became the major partner in the holding company.

The IFJ says that the new management needs to show commitment to decent working relations for their journalists, including timely payment of full salaries.

"We on call the management of the Glavred Group to solve the conflict with the unions and to ensure all staff are paid their salaries, including arrears," added White.

For more information contact the IFJ at   +32 2 235 2207      
The IFJ represents over 600,000 journalists in 125 countries worldwide