Each working journalist has the right to minimum remuneration: Minister Sharma

KATHMANDU, July 2: Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Rekha Sharma, has said getting the minimum remuneration is the basic right of any working journalist.

During an interaction among the bodies concerned with the implementation of the Working Journalists Act (WJA) organized by the Minimum Wages Fixation Committee here today, the minister said, "It is the right of any working person to get minimum remuneration determined by the government."  

Stating that the Committee's recommendation for revising the minimum remuneration for working journalists was under consideration, she said the implementation would be easier if the involvement of their employers was in this procedure

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The minister said the government had already proceeded towards the formulation of required laws relating to mass communications. She apprised the gathering that there were complaints about the lack of transparency in the private sector regarding the payment to working journalists.

Press Council Nepal Chair Balkrishna Basnet was of the opinion of legally dealing with the violation of the provision of appointment and payment in the journalism sector. Such a move is punishable by law, according to him.

Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) President Bipul Pokhrel said, "The implementation of the Working Journalists Act is so simple provided that everyone understands that labor exists in journalism and it demands a decent pay, too."

Committee Chair Sangita Khadka gave her presentation centering on the provisions in the WJA, challenges in its enforcement and the possible ways for the solution while FNJ former Chair Dr Mahendra Bista shed light on labor issues, the existing situation and the areas for improvement in the media. 

Advertisement Board Chair Laxman Humagain, senior journalist Babita Basnet, Media Society Nepal's Chair Shubhashanker Kandel, Samajwadi Press Association Nepal's Chair Bishwamani Subedi, Nepal Press Union Vice Chair Nakul Aryal, Press Chautari Nepal's General Secretary Hiraman Lama, and Press Center Nepal's General Secretary Santosh Paudel  talked about possible ways for effective implementation of the WJA.

(RSS)