Lok Sabha Question No. 5819 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-04-10
Subject: Welfare of Journalists
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5819 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.04.2017

## WELFARE OF JOURNALISTS

5819. SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT:

Will  the  Minister  of  LABOUR  AND  EMPLOYMENT  be  pleased  to state:

- (a)whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  journalists  in  print  and electronic media are reportedly being exploited and under paid by print and electronic media houses;
- (b)if so, the details thereof along with the reaction of the Government thereto;
- (c)whether there is any law to regulate the salaries and remunerations of all journalists;
- (d)if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (e)whether  the  Government  proposes  to  bring  all  media  personnel including journalists on contractual basis under Wage Board; and (f)if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (IC) FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (SHRI BANDARU DATTATREYA)

(a) to (f): The  Central  Government  constitutes  Wage  Boards  for working journalists and non-journalist newspaper employees from time to time in accordance with the provisions of section 9 and section 13C of the Working Journalists and Other Newspaper Employees (Conditions of Service) and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1955. So far 6 such Wage Boards have been constituted under the said Act.

The Central Government notified the accepted recommendations  of  the  Wage  Boards  in  the  official  Gazette  in accordance with the provisions of section 12 of the said Act.

Contd..2/-

The Government  notified the accepted recommendations  of  the Majithia  Wage  Boards  (last  wage  Boards)  vide  SO  No.2532  (E)  dated 11/11/2011 subject to the outcome of the Writ Petition (Civil) No.246 of 2011  in  the  matter  of  ABP  Pvt.  Ltd.  &  Others  Vs.  Union  of  India  & Others filed in the Hon'ble Supreme Court.

Hon'ble Supreme Court delivered the judgement on 7.2.2014 in  the  WP  No.246  of  2011  and  other  tagged  Court  Cases  with  the directions  that  all  the  writ  petitions  have  been  dismissed  and  the wages as revised/ determined shall be payable from 11.11.2011 when the Government of India notified the recommendations of the Majithia

Wage Boards.

Any  complaint  received  regarding  non-implementation  of the  recommendations  of  the  Wage  Boards  are  forwarded  to  the concerned  State  Government  who  is  the  competent  authority  under the said Act to ensure implementation of the recommendations of the Wage Boards.

Currently the Wage Boards recommendations are applicable to the working journalists and non-journalist newspaper employees. A Writ Petition has been filed in the High Court of Delhi praying to amend the Working Journalists and Other Newspaper Employees (Conditions include journalists working with Electronic News Channel within the definition of  Working  Journalists  as  defined  under  the  said  Act.    The  case  is of Service) and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1955 to pending in the Hon'ble Court.

******