Better working condition for media persons demanded

Journalists’ Forum Assam (JFA) expressed concern at the helpless working condition of media persons, particularly those employed with private television channels. ''Nearly 80% working journalists of the state have to work with pitiable salaries, unlimited working hours without even a break in need and without any insurance facilities'', JFA President Rupam Barua said in a statement.

Working journalists, engaged with satellite news channels of Assam, have to perform their duties in a vulnerable atmosphere with low wages, more than eight hours working period in a day, without appropriate leave days and off-days, and with no facility of life and health insurance coverage. Whenever the demand for higher financial packages for the privately-owned television channel employees, including the working journalists is put forward, the owners argue that they are running a loss-making business.

The JFA has demanded a minimum starting salary of rupees 15,000 for the television media persons, engaged with the satellite news channels of Assam, with a daily working period of eight hours or less, and a dignified leave arrangement. It also stated that all the employees working in newspaper or news channels should get facilities of Provident Fund, ESI according to the Labour Act and also a health and life insurance coverage without discrimination, the statement added.