Journalists’ To Start Receiving Salaries, Others
Information reaching Ibom Focus says that Journalists’ To Start Receiving Salaries, Others
Joe Ajaero, head of the Nigerian Labour Congress, is championing a crusade for journalists’ rights, demanding improved remuneration, robust insurance coverage, and a dignified pension, acknowledging their immense contribution to the nation’s storytelling.
In a show of solidarity, Joe Ajaero, head of the Nigerian Labour Congress, met with Dr. Chris Isiguzo, President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, in Abuja, where he reiterated his call for enhanced welfare and protection for journalists nationwide.
The Nigerian Labour Congress President highlighted the irony that journalists, who played a vital role in shaping the country’s history and democratic journey, are now struggling to receive their due compensation, a situation he deemed unacceptable.
Ajaero bemoaned the paradox of modern journalism, where technological innovations have increased efficiency and reach, yet the core principles of the profession are facing erosion, threatening the very fabric of the industry.
“The welfare of journalists is being underplayed. While journalists are a group of professionals fighting for everyone, nobody is for them, they are not even for themselves.
“Journalists do not have weekends, public holidays or festive season. They work and report the activities of people who are enjoying weekends, public holidays and festivities.
“Even when a journalist is sacked or not paid for one year, other journalists will not write a story on such injustice,” Ajaero said.
He added, “I am advocating for a consultative machinery that we should hold every two years, to have a negotiation with all media employers in the county to fix minimum wage for journalists.
“Also, there should be a pension that all journalists should enjoy after retiring from the job. Insurance cover is another thing that journalists should enjoy to make them work better.”
The labour leader stressed that non-payment of journalists’ salaries should not be encouraged and should be treated as “a criminal offence.”
Ajaero acknowledged that, though it has not been easy for publishers, he said that should not warrant them not to do the needful for their employees, particularly payment of their salaries
“Most reporters spend their little salaries on transportation to do their job. This is unacceptable.
“We are in the era of social and online media. There is also the need to regulate online media practices.
“It should be regulated in such a way that they will be part of NUJ. You need to accommodate them and know what they are doing,” Ajaero said.
On his part, Isiguzo said NUJ is doing a lot to address abnormalities in the country’s journalism practice.
“We are currently looking at the Code of Ethics to come out with a review that will also stipulate the responsibilities and obligations of employers to media workers.
According to Dr. Isiguzo, the whereabouts of the union’s deducted dues are unknown, as they do not end up with the NUJ, and this lack of transparency is a pressing issue that requires resolution.
