NLC Makes Case For Journalists On Salary Increase, Insurance, Pension

By LOVETH AZODO, Lagos

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called on media employers for the increase of salary, insurance cover and pension for journalists under their payroll across the country.

The call for the general welfare of journalists was made by the president of the Congress, Comrade Joe Ajaero, during a courtesy visit to the President of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Chris Isiguzo, in Abuja.

According to Ajaero, there is a gradual decadence in the practice of journalism, however he noted that technology has enhanced the practice.

He stated out that journalists across the country played vital roles in the fight for independence and current democracy Nigerians are enjoying.

Expressing his displeasure on the welfare of Journalists, he said that it is unfortunate some of the journalists across the country are begging for their salaries to be paid.

“The welfare of journalists is being underplayed. While journalists are a group of professionals fighting for everyone, nobody is for them, they are not even for themselves.

“Journalists do not have weekends, public holidays or festive seasons. They work and report activities of people that are enjoying weekends, public holidays and festivities.

“Even when a journalist is sacked or not paid for one year, other journalists will not write a story on such injustice.

“I am advocating for a consultative machinery that we should hold every two years, to have a negotiation with all media employers in the county to fix minimum wage for journalists.

“Also, there should be a pension that all journalists should enjoy after retiring from the job. Insurance cover is another thing that Journalists should enjoy to make them work better,” he added.

He called on the law enforcement agencies to treat non-payment of journalists’ salary as a criminal offence.