Garba Seeks Concrete Agreements On Media Salary

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and Radio, Television and Theatre Arst Workers Union (RATTAWU)  in Abuja urged the Federal Government to put in place concrete agreements for the implementation of the new Media Salary Structure.

The President of NUJ, Alhaji Mohammed Garba, made the appeal  while monitoring Federal Government media houses in Abuja, to ensure the enforcement of the unions’ three-day warning strike.

Members of the union embarked on the exercise, to compel the Federal Government to enforce a new Media Salary Structure.  

Garba, however, said there had not been any agreement reached with the government on the implementation of the salary.

He said the unions met with the Minister of Information and Communications, Prof. Dora Akunyili, during which a committee of all heads of the parastatal agencies signed the salary structure.

“We sent it to the Federal Government since April and nothing has happened.

“We will close down NTA and FRCN that are offering skeletal services,’’ he said.

Garba said the media workers should be given their pride of place like other specialised institutions in the country.

 Mr Shu’aibu Leman, National Secretary of NUJ, said that media workers generally, were not adequately paid like their colleagues elsewhere.

Leman said the workers were faced with difficulties in the media industries.

“The industries are full of difficulties and hazards and journalists are made to work 24 hours around the clock, yet their pay package is so minimal.

“All we are requesting for is an enhanced package for media workers of members of RATTAWU and NUJ.

“Up till the moment, we do not have any concrete agreements with the Federal Government.

Mr Olu Sunday-Jethro, Deputy National President of RATTAWU, said that members of  the union had not been well remunerated.

He said “we want our members as others to be well remunerated.

He said the strike commenced in early hours of the day, adding that to the best of his knowledge, members accross the country had complied.

“The only problem we have is the NTA International Channel but all other stations have complied.