Govt to push wage board implementation for journos: State Minister

State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Yaser Khan Chowdhury has said the government will take necessary steps to implement the Wage Board for journalists and, if required, raise the issue in the Cabinet.

He made the remarks at an exchange of views with leaders of the Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) at the conference room of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on Sunday.The state minister stressed the need to ensure the safety, welfare and rights of journalists, saying they play a vital role in providing people with accurate information.

“If journalists are not provided with proper facilities and benefits, capable journalists will lose interest in the profession, while it will also become difficult to produce a new generation of talented journalists.''

Yaser Khan said a prolonged deadlock had persisted over implementation of the Wage Board, noting that the Ninth Wage Board had not been properly implemented.

He said discussions on the demands of journalists regarding the 10th Wage Board had also brought the issue of implementing the Ninth Wage Board to the forefront.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting is already holding discussions with the Ministry of Labour and other relevant stakeholders on the matter, he said, adding that the government would step up the initiative.