The 10th Wage Board needs to be formed quickly for the welfare of journalists and to enhance their standard of living, National Parliament Whip Ruhul Quddus Talukdar Dulu.
Speaking at a views-exchange meeting with journalists at the National Parliament LD Hall on Monday, the whip said that if journalists are doing well, then the country and its democracy will also do well.
Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni was present as the chief guest at the event, along with other whips.
The 9th Wage Board has yet to be fully implemented due to a case filed by the owners’ side, Dulu said.
He noted that although the government gazette was published earlier declaring the media as an industry, in reality it has not yet received full industry status.
“Because the media has not received proper industry status, many journalists working in various media are not receiving regular salaries and allowances, which is extremely regrettable,” he said.
The whip said that just as government officials receive regular salaries and benefits, a salary structure and government benefits of that standard should also be arranged for journalists.
“I have always considered journalists as my own people. We do not want any journalist to suffer in financial hardship or live a miserable life due to lack of medical treatment in their final days,” Dulu said.
The whip recalled the long tradition of professional journalism and called upon young journalists to follow their experienced seniors and play a pioneering role in making parliamentary democracy more vibrant.
He said that recently an environment for a fair and violence-free election has been created in the country, which will remain a milestone. To continue this democratic process, journalists must play a strong role, he added.
Dulu also assured that appropriate measures will be taken to resolve problems journalists face regarding office space.
