Labour Commissioner, J&K, S. Charandeep Singh Friday held an interactive meeting at Shram Bhawan Jammu regarding implementation of the Majithia Wage Board recommendations for Journalists and other staff employed in the media Industry.
The meeting was attended by key representatives from prominent newspapers, including Daily Excelsior, Daily Udaan, Himalayan Mail, Jammu Rising, State Observer, JK News Point, Amar Ujala, Greater Jammu, The News Now, Punjab Kesari, The Journey Line and The North Line.
Also present at the meeting were the Deputy Labour Commissioner Jammu, Deputy Director (PR) Information, Jammu, and Assistant Labour Commissioner Jammu.
During the interaction, the Labour Commissioner emphasized upon the importance of implementing the Majithia Wage Board recommendations in full, thereby fostering a fair and just work environment within the media industry in J&K.
“Full implementation has been slower in Jammu and Kashmir compared to some other states/UTs, however, some of the mainstream newspapers in J&K have made efforts to align their pay scales with the revised wage recommendations, for their journalists and other staff” he said.
Outlining some of the key provisions of the Majithia Wage Board recommendations related to wage structure, allowances and working conditions, the Labour Commissioner urged that all newspaper owners and managements must take steps to ensure compliance with the Majithia Wage Board norms.
The Government of India had constituted two Majithia Wage Boards, one for working journalists and other for non-journalists newspaper employees in 2007 as sixth Wage Board under the Chairmanship of Justice Majithia. The Majithia Wage Boards submitted their final report to the Government of India in 2010. The Government accepted the recommendations of the Majithia Wage Boards and accordingly notified it in the year 2011.
In order to monitor the implementation of the notification, a Central Level Monitoring Committee (CLMC) was also set up, which meets regularly.
The CLMC comprises representatives from various stakeholders, including government officials, newspaper owners, and employee representatives. Its primary role is to monitor the compliance of newspaper establishments with the wage and working condition norms set by the Majithia Wage Board. This includes ensuring that newspaper organizations adhere to minimum wage standards, make timely payment of wages, and maintain appropriate working conditions for their employees.
In the recently held meeting of the CLMC, it was emphasised that State / UT Governments should conduct special drives for speeding up the process of full implementation of the Majithia Wage Board recommendations.
