PFUJ concerned over closure of paper, sacking of mediamen
Islamabad, March 1:- The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has expressed its dismay and concern over sudden closure of the national English daily “Business Day” , Karachi, and removal of the entire staff without any notice and termed it a cruel act and classic example of lawlessness.
The PFUJ pointed out that the Business Day started its publication almost four years ago with a claim that it would bring a revolution in the newspaper industry on the basis of quality and excellent working environment in which the entire staff would be given remuneration as per their professional capability.
The PFUJ regretted that the owners of the newspaper which belong to a known industrial and banking group and have strong “stakes” brought out this daily just to hoodwink professional media persons in the name of “good journalism” and better services.
This industrial-cum-banking group immediately after attaining its target in “business forcibly lockout out the newspaper”.
This act on their part is not only illegal, but against provisions of the labour laws, morally and constitutionally. It is also a serious offence and it is pity that the concerned departments, especially labour department have failed to take action against them which reflects that there is no rule of law in the country especially to check unlawful and illegal acts of the media owners,” the PFUJ asserted.
The PFUJ said how strange is that more than 100 media persons who were working in the daily and had more than four years’ service to their credit were sacked in one go without any notice or payment of dues or intimation.
“Even for an ordinary worker of a small factory in such circumstances, the management has to fulfill certain legal obligations and seek permission from the Labour Department but by this act of the media management has once again proved that there is no concept of respect for law in Pakistan for media persons”, the PFUJ added.
The PFUJ demanded to the Sindh government to take notice of the high- handedness of the management of the paper and they should be proceeded as per law on charge of illegal lock-out and other provisions of labour laws.
The PFUJ expressing its full support to the affected staff of the daily and assured them that it would not allow media owners to treat media persons as a “tissue paper” and would fight for their rights in all forums come what may.
Shamsul Islam Naz
Secretary General
PAKISTAN FEDERAL UNION OF JOURNALISTS
12-Nazimuddin Road, F-6/1
Islamabad, Pakistan
Phone Office +92(0)51 2870220-1
Facsimile +92(0)51 2870223
Cellular +92(0)300 8665523/03218665523
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