The non payment of salaries to journalists by media houses is unacceptable and the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) will soon issue ultimatum to defaulting media establishments.
Chairman Kaduna Council NUJ, Comrade Adamu Yusuf gave out the warning in his speech as part of event to mark the World Press Freedom Day in Kaduna on Thursday.
“It is really sad that some private media organisations in Kaduna State and some based outside Kaduna but with staff here cannot pay regular monthly salaries to our members, some owing up to a year.
” This act is unacceptable and the NUJ will issue an ultimatum to these private media organisations to pay or face industrial action,” he warned.
Speaking further, he described as unfortunate the non payment of entitlement to retirees of the New Nigerian Newspapers (NNN) in spite of approval given by President Muhammadu Buhari eight months ago.
“Some of the retired members of NNN have died, some are presently sick, while others are psychologically or mentally touched praying, waiting for a hope that only Allah knows when,” he lamented.
He appealed to the Kaduna State Government to offset the benefits of staff of the Kaduna State Media Corporation (KSMC), who were affected by the restructuring, to enable them face the current economic challenges.
Comrade Yusuf tasked journalists to be socially responsible and adhere strictly to the ethics of the profession while discharging their duties.
He recalled that the World Press Freedom Day was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 1993, following a recommendation adopted by the UNESCO’s general congress in 1991.
“This was in response to a call by African journalists who in 1991 produced the landmark Windhoek Declaration on media pluralism and independence,” he declared.
