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Laid-off media workers also need govt’s attention
It’s good to announce increase but what about the removal of a large number of media workers?
By Zaib Azkaar Hussain
Karachi
Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan states “325 percent salary increase which is equal to Rs 8,500 had been proposed for special grade media workers, 306 percent equaling Rs 6,500 for grades 1-4, and 355 percent equaling Rs 5,000 for grades 5 to 8 has been approved under the initiative.”
Awan while addressing a press conference, called it a step towards permanent awards of the sort, which would be announced soon.
The interim award was being announced with the consensus of all stakeholders, she disclosed.
She said 325 percent increase equal to Rs 8,500 had been proposed for special grade, 306 percent equal to Rs 6,500 for grade 1-4, and 355 percent equal to Rs 5,000 for grade 5-8.
Chairman 8th Wage Board award Justice (Retd) Hasnat Ahmed Khan said the interim wage board award had been announced and the consultations for permanent award were in final stages, which would be announced soon.
Principal Information Officer Tahir Khushnood said the media workers had succeeded after a long struggle and the government would ensure that its benefits should reach all the media employees.
Haji Nawaz Raza, Pervaiz Shaukat, Afzal Butt, Shakeel Qarar, Amir Sajjad Syed, Siddque Anzar, Mazhar Iqbal, Asif Bhatti and Khawaja Raiz being media workers’ leaders were also present at the press conference, lauded the government of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
They said the announcement of the interim wage board award was a historic step for which the PTI government and Dr Firdous deserved appreciation.
Awan said 325 percent increase equal to Rs 8,500 had been proposed for special grade, 306 percent equal to Rs 6,500 for grade 1-4, and 355 percent equal to Rs 5,000 for grade 5-8.
Dr Firdous Awan said the Prime Minister Imran Khan was committed to provide due rights to the workers and the government’s decision to fix minimum wage of Rs 17,500 was a proof of that.
Though announcement is highly appreciable, the question of removal of media workers from different newspapers establishments and media houses that led unemployment to a great scale was still a serious question,. Besides the implementation of the increase and due benefits to all workers fully was a serious issue that must be ensured.
ENDS
