New Delhi: Political parties on Tuesday pledged
their support to journalists and non-journalists demanding
implementation of the recommendations of Majithia Wage Board
promising to raise the issue in Parliament in the coming
Monsoon session.
Senior leaders of CPI(M), CPI and JD(U) alleged that the
government was "dithering" on the issue as they want to serve
the interests of corporate houses while leaving journalists to
fend for themselves.
The leaders were addressing a protest at the Jantar
Mantar organised by Confederation of Newspaper and News Agency
Employees` Organisations (CNNAEO), which has Federation of PTI
Employees` Unions, UNI Workers` Union, All India Newspaper
Employees Federation, Indian Journalists Union and National
Union of Journalists(I) as its affiliates.
The employees were on a day-long dharna in support of
their demands.
Addressing the protesters, JD(U) chief Sharad Yadav
alleged the government has no political will to implement the
recommendations of the Wage Board it constituted.
"We will raise your demands in the Parliament. We will
ask the government why they are not implementing their own
commitment. We will put pressure on them," Yadav said.
Echoing his views, CPI(M)`s Tapan Sen and Nilotpal Basu
said their party will raise the issue inside and outside the
Parliament and will lend all support to their agitation.
Accusing the government of serving the interests of
corporate sector, CPI National Secretary D Raja said the UPA
dispensation was "dithering" on its commitment and that his
party will be with the protesters in "difficult times".
Demanding early implementation of the wage board
recommendations, CNNAEO Secretary General M S Yadav warned the
government that they would intensify their protest if it does
not heed to their demands soon.
PTI
