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Friday, March 29, 2024

WATCH: Employees of Jang Media Group Protest on Widespread Underpayment

A series of protests by media employees from multiple Jang Media Group (JMG) businesses, including television network Geo News, has started protests in response to issues such as systemic underpayment, job instability, and a lack of benefits.

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and its affiliate, the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), are on the side of the employees of Geo News and other Jang JMG outlets who are contending for their right to reasonable salary, prompt payments, and better working conditions.

Geo News employees at offices around the country started a series of protests, holding banners inside and outside of their places of employment demanding the payment of unpaid salaries, pay increases, and better benefits from March 9. The news organization’s staff is calling for a 150 percent pay raise as well as compliance from Geo News with its legal responsibilities to give gratuity and provident funds, which are essential retirement benefits for media professionals in Pakistan.

On March 13, a second demonstration over Geo News’ parent company JMG’s rampant underpayment took place in Karachi. Together with representatives and members of the Karachi Union of Journalists, employees from JMG publications like Geo News, The News International, and others protested. Employees at Geo News and News International discussed severe underpayment on social media, with several employees reporting that they had not received salary payments since January.

Worried workers believe that because of Pakistan’s economic crisis, many people are struggling to make ends meet because their pay has not kept up with rising inflation. The management has been asked to enhance the number of permanent contracts available as the protesters have identified job uncertainty as a major problem. Workers of numerous JMG sites have emphasized the unequal pay and benefits offered in comparison to other media industry workers, with many employees failing to receive retirement-saving plans promised by Pakistan’s labor laws.

The employees of Geo News as well as other media shareholders have criticized Geo News and Jang Media Group for not responding to employee issues. People who have taken to the streets to protest have declared they will do so until their demands are satisfied. The PFUJ’s president, GM Jamali, and secretary general, Rana M. Azeem, made the following statements: “The right to fair salaries and working conditions is a fundamental human right that should be respected in all industries, including the media. It is important to acknowledge and recognize the contributions of journalists and media professionals who help the public stay informed and hold those in authority accountable.

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According to the IFJ, systemic underpayment, insufficient benefits, and job insecurity are intolerable problems that have a significant negative impact on media workers and force many of them to explore alternative fields. The IFJ calls on the management of Jang Media Group and Geo News to respond right away to the significant issues brought up by their staff members, and it implores the Pakistani government to make sure the nation’s labor laws have strictly adhered to the nation’s media sector.

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