HBC journos demand WJA implementation

POST REPORT

KATHMANDU, Sept 2 - Agitating journalists and employees at HBC FM continued their sit-in for the third consecutive day Sunday demanding that the FM management revoke the notice dismissing all those working there.

The agitating FM workers have also asked the FM management to immediately implement the Working Journalists Act (WJA) 2064 BS and ensure continuity of their service with appointment letters and better perks and facilities, among others.

The relationship between FM management and employees had gone sour after the 'chief advisor' of the radio station Birendra Dahal - whose locus standi had all along been challenged by protesting journalists and staff - announced the dismissal of all journalists and employees, in a notice issued Wednesday. Agitating journalists said the FM management also barred them from entering the FM office.

The notice undersigned by Dahal and pasted at the main entrance of the FM station, which declared nullification of the identity cards of all employees effective from the same day, also stated that it would begin fresh recruitment within the next few days

Meanwhile, Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) has expressed concern over the failure of the FM management to respond to demands of the agitating journalists. Issuing a statement, the FNJ has also urged the FM management to immediately implement the newly promulgated WJA and resolve problems through dialogue. The umbrella organization of journalists across the country has also urged government to take initiatives in this regard.

Likewise, Media Mission Nepal (MMN) and Nepal Media Centre (NMC) in a joint statement have expressed solidarity with the ongoing protest of the HBC journalists and employees. They have also urged the FM Management to revoke the notice of dismissal of all employees and resolve the problem through dialogue.
(Source: The Kathmandu Post)