Date:04/10/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/04/stories/2008100460271100.htm

National

30 per cent interim relief for newspaper employees

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: The Union Cabinet on Friday approved 30 per cent interim relief for journalist and non-journalist employees of the newspaper industry. The enhanced wages that will come into effect from January 8, 2008 will be notified shortly.

The Wage Boards for journalists and non-journalists had on June 28 recommended a 30 per cent hike in basic pay as interim relief.

The arrears would be given from January 2008, Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Priyaranjan Dasmunsi told journalists here.

However, the Confederation of Newspaper and News Agency Employees’ Organisation, the apex body of federations in the industry, has expressed disappointment over the decision.

“There has been a tradition to increase the amount of interim relief by the government over and above the recommendation of the Wage Board but it was not done this time,” Suresh Akhouri of the Confederation told The Hindu.

He said the employees expected a hike of at least 10 per cent over the wage board recommendations, but this had not been done. “Now, we have no choice but to go in for agitation if the demands are not met,” he said.

Demand for review

The Confederation has also decided to meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, United Progressive Alliance chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Railway Minister Lalu Prasad with their demand to review the matter.