Mass layoffs at Khabrain and Channel 5 TV after employees demand salaries

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 28 July 2013 |  JP Staff Reporter

Approximately 100 employees were dismissed from Khabrain and Channel 5 TV for demanding overdue salaries. The situation escalated during a confrontation with management, prompting intervention from colleagues and unions.

Summary

ISLAMABAD: About a hundred employees of Khabrain and Channel 5 TV have reportedly been sacked for demanding their overdue salaries.

According to reports, the situation escalated when one of the staff members at Islamabad’s bureau office confronted Imtinan Shahid, the owner of the Khabrain Group. The employee grabbed Shahid by the scruff of his neck after being verbally abused for asking for his pay. Insiders say that other staff members quickly intervened to prevent the situation from turning violent.

Union leaders from the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) and the National Press Club Islamabad have given the management a two-day ultimatum to settle the outstanding salaries. They have threatened to lock up the channel’s offices if the demands are not met within this timeframe. This incident underscores the ongoing struggles faced by media workers in Pakistan, particularly concerning fair treatment and timely payment.

The PFUJ and the National Press Club's involvement highlights the growing unrest among journalists and media personnel over labor rights and the financial instability of media houses. This is not an isolated incident but part of a larger pattern of financial issues and management disputes within the Pakistani media industry.

KEY POINTS:

• Around 100 employees laid off for salary demands.
• An altercation occurred between staff and management.
• Union leaders have issued a two-day ultimatum to settle salaries.
• Threats of office lockout if demands are not met.
• Incident reflects broader issues in Pakistan's media industry.