The journalists and media workers of one of the leading English daily, Dawn newspaper, demanded Prime Minister Imran Khan to take notice against the management for unending pay-cut despite collecting ‘handsome profit’ in the fiscal year 2020-21.
The Dawn newspaper employees association appealed to PM Imran Khan via an open letter to draw his ‘attention to the plight of journalists and media workers in the country’s most prestigious newspaper, founded by the Father of the Nation [Muhammad Ali Jinnah] him.’
They wrote, “First, the Dawn management cut employees’ salaries by up to 35 per cent in February 2019 on the pretext of “anticipated losses”. Our appeals to the management to reverse the drastic pay-cut have fallen on deaf ears, despite the company’s handsome profit in the fiscal year 2020-21.”
It added, “Secondly, a truncated 8th Wage Board Award, in August 2021, was “implemented” in a lopsided manner – after a gap of 19 years. It, ironically, further contracted the employees’ salary instead of raising it by 145 per cent, as required under the WBA.”
The journalists and media workers of Dawn newspaper requested the premier to ask the English daily’s management via a phone call to reverse the unlawful pay-cut, pay arrears and increase the salaries of the employees. The workers said that they hoped that their management will also listen to the premier’s advice just like ARY News and Serene Air.
Dear @ImranKhanPTI @PakPMO, taking heart from your thoughtful gesture towards employees of private firms, we draw your attention to the plight of media workers at newspaper, which refuses to reverse up to 40% pay-cut effective Feb 2019.1/2 @fawadchaudhry @shabazgil @OfficialKUJ pic.twitter.com/D86JKkk5JK
— Pakistan Herald Workers’ Union (@herald_union) January 30, 2022
Special Assistant to PM on Political Communication Dr Shahbaz Gill responded to the tweet, saying that the government will stand side-by-side with the Dawn workers. He said that the media houses gained record profits including Dawn newspaper. He vowed that they will raise voice for the rights of journalists and practically support the journalists and media workers.
ہم آپکے ساتھ کھڑے ہیں۔ یہ بے بنیاد کٹوتی ہے اور اس کو جاری رکھنا بلکل زیادتی ہے۔ آپ کے پیپر کے ساتھ ساتھ سارے میڈیا کا منافع ریکارڈ سطح پر ہے ۔ ہم آواز بھی اٹھائیں گے اور عملی طور پر بھی آپکا ساتھ دیں گے۔ https://t.co/X8vRQvh9Tc
— Dr. Shahbaz GiLL (@SHABAZGIL) January 31, 2022