The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) is alarmed at reports that the management of the New Delhi-based Nepal One Television threatened on July 14 to enforce a mass sacking of journalists and media workers from its Kathmandu office.
According to the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ), an IFJ affiliate, the management barricaded the building on July 14, preventing employees from entering, after employees demanded the implementation of their workplace agreement.
The FNJ reports that Nepal One’s Kathmandu staff have sought repeatedly in recent weeks to open a dialogue with the management on the implementation of the terms of the agreement.
However, it is reported that the representative of Nepal One’s management in Kathmandu, Hakikat Kadyan, responded with threats to evict staff and shut down the office.
“The action by Nepal One’s management is a serious breach of an agreement worked out in May 2007 after a prolonged agitation by journalists,” IFJ Asia-Pacific said.
“The demands made by Nepal One Television workers, including the issuance of appointment letters to all staff, insurance cover, a provident fund scheme, leave allowances and reimbursement of essential expenses incurred in the process of reporting, are reasonable and just.”
The IFJ originally welcomed the 2007 agreement between staff and Nepal One Television but raised concerns when local workers reported management was not honouring its terms.
“The IFJ calls upon the authorities to do all that is permitted under Nepal’s media law to ensure that journalists and other staff at the television broadcaster get a fair deal.”
For further information contact IFJ Asia-Pacific on +612 9333 0919
The IFJ represents over 600,000 in 122 countries worldwide