Rival factions of Punjab Union of Journalists unite for a cause

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 7 February 2019

The Punjab Union of Journalists has consolidated rival factions to launch a unified campaign for upcoming elections. They also aim to support sacked workers facing economic hardships.

Summary

LAHORE – The rival factions of Punjab Union of Journalists (PUJ) have agreed to unite and contest the elections from one platform according to the Lahore Press Club voters’ list.

An extraordinary general council meeting of Lahore Press Club arrived at this decision on Thursday.

Arshad Ansari, the club president, chaired the meeting at the Nisar Usmani Auditorium.

The house condemned the economic murder of media workers, hundreds of whom have been laid off, and the pay cuts slapped by the news organizations.

The decision to unite was taken to make the campaign for the reinstatement of sacked workers more effective.

The meeting assured the affected workers that they were not alone in this difficult hour, and the entire media fraternity stood by them.

The particulars of those rendered jobless are being compiled to extend legal and financial help to them.

The meeting also agreed on the following:

• write letters to PEMRA and the Press Laws Branch seeking transfer of rights from the owners to workers of organizations that have ceased operations including Waqt News TV, Daily Waqt, Inqilab, and others
• a permanent protest camp will be set up at the Lahore Press Club
• setting up a social media cell that will publish stories on the media owners’ assets
• an announcement of a big protest for reinstatement of sacked workers and the pay cuts slapped by owners
• forming a legal aid committee to lend help to laid-off employees, and those facing wage cuts
• all members of the press club to contribute Rs100 for the protest campaign
• election of Punjab Union of Journalists on March 3 as per press club voter list

KEY POINTS:

• Rival factions agreed to contest elections together according to the Lahore Press Club voters' list.
• Condemnation of economic hardships faced by media workers, including layoffs and pay cuts.
• Plans to set up a protest camp at the Lahore Press Club and a social media cell.
• Legal aid committee established to assist laid-off employees and those facing wage cuts.
• Members urged to contribute Rs100 for the protest campaign ahead of elections on March 3.