Strategic Approach to Journalists Contract Workers - Kolkata, August 8, 2006

ECCP project: EU-India- Building Paths to Equality in Journalism

<font size="3">Strategic Approach to Journalists Contract Workers</font>

Kolkata, August 8, 2006

1) Concerns

· Contract workers do not join unions
· Unions do not show enthusiasm regarding contract journalists' membership
· Drop in union membership
· Fear of contract workers of loosing their jobs if they join unions

2) Goals

· Bring job security for contract journalists and organise them in unions

3) Strategy: strenghtening of trade unions

· Hold regular meeting involving all workers
· Increase communication on unions (website)
· Increase consultation of journalist contract workers on their problems
· Voice their concerns: discuss with management about contract workers' problems
· Ask for time off for contract workers to attend unions' meetings
· Arrange social activities for contract workers
· Seek political support
· Include trade unionism as a subject in journalists' schools
· Call on media houses to provide equipment for all workers
· Facilities for women for night shifts
· Equal pay for equal work
· Attract all journalists in the unions
· Strenghten the Confederation of Newspapers and News Agencies Employees Organisations

4) Timeframe

    As early as possible