Wage board wants revised basic pay for journalists

The National Wage Board for Working Journalists and other Newspaper Employees, that submitted its report to the Ministry of Labour and Employment suggested a revised basic pay of Rs 9,000 to R17,500 for non-journalists and R13,000 to R25,000 for working journalists in the top establishment, with gross revenues of more than Rs 1,000 crore. HT reports.

The National Wage Board for Working Journalists and other Newspaper Employees, that submitted its report to the Ministry of Labour and Employment suggested a revised basic pay of Rs 9,000 to R17,500 for non-journalists and R13,000 to Rs 25,000 for working journalists in the top establishment, with gross revenues of more than R1,000 crore.

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At the same time, the monthly emoluments for the lowest category in the lowest class of establishment would work out to be Rs 9,000 for the basic pay at floor level minimum wage of Rs 5,000, Justice GR Majithia, chairman of the board said. The effective date of implementation would be July 1, 2010.

The report made recommendations on issues like post-retirement benefits, a forward looking promotion policy, measures to improve enforcement of the Award, need for improving the database of the Registrar of Newspapers in India (RNI).

On social security measures, such as the possibility of granting paternity leave to male employees, implementing the retirement age of 65 years and exploring pension scheme possibilities have been suggested by 'going beyond the mandated wage structure revision'.

Other recommendations include night shift allowance, hardship allowance, transport allowance and house rent allowance for different class of establishments, a permanent mechanism to adjudicate on complaints regarding the Award. Also, employers have been are advised to ensure that contractual workers are offered the same salary as that given to a regular employee.