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