IFJ Salutes Strikers as Tunisia Broadcasters Grant Rights at Work

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today welcomed the decision of the management at State television and radio to review the contracts of hundreds of employees, including journalists who have been on strike to demand rights at work and legal contracts. 

"We welcome this decision which was achieved by media staff standing up for their industrial rights to full contracts and social insurance," said Aidan White, IFJ General Secretary. "All employees are now entitled to fair terms of contracts which guarantee secure employment."

According to the Syndicat National des Journalistes Tunisiens (SNJT), the management of Tunisian State radio television has agreed to normalise the situation of some 420 employees, including 70 journalists. Some 150 journalists and media workers went on strike last week to demand decent work contracts and social security rights, in line with Tunisian labour law.

The IFJ supported the strikers' demand for respect of their basic rights and, in particular, urged management to recognise the record of many journalists and their co-workers in the service of the public broadcasters.

"We expect new contracts for journalists and media workers to be fully in line with their rights and the country's labour law," added White. "We commend our colleagues and their unions for mounting a vigorous campaign to defend their basic rights and the union's right to collective bargaining." 

For more information contact the IFJ at             +32 2 235 2207       

The IFJ represents over 600,000 journalists in 123 countries worldwide