IFJ hails union victory as Abb Takk News forced to pay staff's unpaid salaries
JournalismPakistan.com | Published 3 months ago | IFJ Media Release
Join our WhatsApp channel
Following reports of delayed salary payments, minimum-wage breaches, and forced layoffs at Abb Takk News, the Rawalpindi Islamabad Union of Journalists (RIUJ) has successfully negotiated to ensure all outstanding salaries are paid to employees. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and its affiliate, the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), welcome this intervention to protect media workers as an important win for labour rights in Pakistan.
With the support of the PFUJ, RIUJ lodged a formal complaint against Abb Takk News on August 27 with the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA), the constitutionally established federal institution responsible for regulating channel licenses for print, broadcast and electronic media. PEMRA Chairman Muhammad Saleem Baig ordered the Chief Executive Officer of Abb Takk News’ parent company, APNA TV Channel Private Limited, to submit a written response within two weeks addressing the violations, warning that failure to comply could lead to the suspension of all federal and provincial government advertising and business dealings with the channel.
The action came following grievances raised by staff at the delayed payment of salaries by up to two months without any additional benefits, forced dismissals, and non-payment of the government-mandated minimum wage, with some journalists reporting a monthly salary of PKR 12,000 (approx. USD 42), 32 per cent of the legal minimum of PKR 37,000 (approx. USD 130).
On August 25, Abb Takk News employees took industrial action, locking down the outlet’s office, amid warnings from RIUJ that non-payment of arrears would launch countrywide protests and legal action against the outlet. The union led ten hours of negotiations between management and employees, facilitated by Abb Takk Bureau Chief Naeem Mahboob, in which management agreed to clear all unpaid salaries within 24 hours without reprisal. Workers handed the office keys to RIUJ President Tariq Usmani, who, alongside PFUJ Secretary General Shakeel Ahmed and other leaders, reopened the newsroom and led staff back to their desks.
The successful negotiations after Pakistan’s senate approved a comprehensive series of amendments to the country’s Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals Act on July 21, including a number of changes to better safeguard the security, welfare, and working conditions of media workers.
The PFUJ said: “We admire the efforts of RIUJ for their struggle to secure the rights of the Abb Takk News workers. The PFUJ urges the other media organisations to release the outstanding salaries of media workers, otherwise they will face the same protests and consequences”
The IFJ said: “This key union win holds Abb Takk News accountable for wage theft and numerous violations of Pakistan’s labour rights laws, setting a vital precedent for conduct across Pakistan’s media industry. The IFJ stands with all media workers in Pakistan in the fight for fair wages, job security, safety, and dignity.”
