KARACHI: National Executive Committee (NEC) of all Pakistan newspapers employees confederation (APNEC) has expressed concern over the situation arising from the governmentÂ’s tactics to pressurize the journalists and newspapers, particularly the Jang Group of newspapers, which ultimately affected the workers.

According to a press release of the APNEC the NEC, Chaired by Chairman Shafiuddin Ashraf, resolved to resist the conspiracy against the freedom of press and other black laws.

The meeting, which was attended by the office bearers and representatives of newspaper workers from all over the country, also condemned the illegal closure of daily Muslim and nonpayment of salaries and arrears to its workers.

Secretary General of the APNEC, Pervez Shaukat informed the participants about the situation regarding the implementation of the 6th wage Board Award and contract employment in the newspaper industry. He also discussed the proposed labour policy. The meeting decided to hold the APNEC elections in the last week of February 1999 and asked all the affiliated unions to immediately deposit their subscription money.

The meeting also asked the affiliated unions to prepare a comprehensive list of workers including daily wages and contract employment in different newspaper organisations in their respective stations and provide the same to APNEC Secretary General by the 10th of February 1999. The list will enable him to publish a ‘white paper’ to invite attention of the national and international organisations on the plight of the newspaper employees.

Expressing concern over contract employment the meeting termed it a sheer violation of labour laws and decided to observe Black Day on February 2, 1999 and directed that newspaper employees, through out the country, would hold protest meetings and bring out processions.

The meetings termed the government’s decision to announce a new Labour Policy a cruel joke and asked the authorities concerned to take all genuine representative of workers including APNEC and PFUJ representatives into confidence.

The meeting was attended by the PFUJ President Abdul Hameed Chappra, and representatives of APNEC, Jang Employees Union Karachi, Quetta, Rawalpindi, The News Employees Union, Muslim Employees Union Islamabad, Javed Press and Modern Graphics Workers Union, RIUJ, Khyber Union of Journalists, Karachi Press Club, Daily Asas Employees Union and Peshawar Press Club.

Source: The News
Date:1/14/1999