BOL workers to resume protests

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 5 February 2016

BOL workers are set to resume protests across major Pakistani cities to demand unpaid salaries dating back to May 2015. The protests, supported by various journalist unions, aim to pressure authorities for resolution.

Summary

ISLAMABAD - BOL Workers Action Committee has announced fresh protests in three major cities next week to press for payment of staff salaries.

This was decided at the committee's meeting held at the Karachi Press Club the other day.

The first protest will be in Karachi outside the press club on February 8, followed by one in Islamabad in front of Parliament House on February 9. The following day the workers will gather in Lahore at the press club.

The protests are backed by Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), press clubs and unions of journalists.

Employees of BOL News Television have not been paid since May 2015. Although the Islamabad High Court directed Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory (PEMRA) to play its part in settling the issue, there has been little progress.

An alleged fake degree scandal involving Axact, the parent company of BOL, led to suspension of the channel's licenses and arrest of its CEO Shoaib Ahmad Shaikh. The New York Times made the expose.

Meanwhile, a separate committee will meet officials of various television channels seeking their support for BOL workers. Major news channels have continually blacked out coverage of BOL-related matters, airing only content that is negative.