DHAKA, Feb 19, 2025 (BSS) – Leaders of Bangladesh Sangbadpathro Karmachari Federation (BSKF) and Bangladesh Federal Union of Newspaper Press Workers (BFUNPW) have demanded formation of the 10th wage board immediately for journalists and newspaper employees-workers.

They also urged the owners of the newspapers to implement the 9th wage board immediately.

The demand came up at a joint meeting held today at Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) employee’s union office where they declared an 11-point demand.  

Chaired by BSKF President Bir Muktijoddha Matiur Rahman Talukdar, BFUNPW president Mohammad Alamgir Hossain Khan addressed the programme as main discussant while BSKF General Secretary Mohammad Khairul Islam conducted the meeting.

The leaders said, “The 9th Wage Board was declared almost eight years ago. While the convention is to announce a new wage board every five years, but 10th wage board  yet to be formed.”

The meeting urged the government to announce the 10th Wage Board immediately, considering the rising cost of living, market conditions, and the risk of the profession.

They also condemned the failure to pay proper wages and benefits to journalists, workers, and employees and the frequent job termination of journalists and employees  in many media outlets .

The meeting also condemned and protested the exclusion of the two major stakeholders— Bangladesh Sangbadpathro Karmachari Federation (BSKF) and Bangladesh Federal Union of Newspaper Press Workers (BFUNPW) from the formation of the Media Reform Commission.

Furthermore, the leaders stated that if the Media Reform Commission takes any action against formation of the wage board or any other organizations in the newspaper industry, they will wage tougher movement.

 They also made it clear that if any disorder arises within the media industry, the responsibility would lie with the Media Reform Commission.

The meeting called on the interim government to immediately implement  the 11 -point demand of the journalists,  workers and employees.

The 11-point demand include immediate   implementation of the 9th Wage Board,  formation of the 10th Wage Board due to the rise in living costs, along with  100 per cent dearness  allowance and establishment of a Welfare Trust for general employees and press workers.

BFUNPW Secretary General Mohammad Mashtak Ahmed, BSKF joint secretary general Tanvir Hossain, Mohammad Ali Khan Apu, Md Maksudul Ahsan, Faruk Ahmed Bhuiyan, Jahangir Hossain, Tajammel Haque, Omar Faruk, Khobir Uddin Patwari, among others, were also present in the meeting.