City Desk :
Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists
Leaders of Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) demanded 60 percent interim allowances for journalists to help them mitigate their financial constraints due to price hike of daily essential commodities. The leaders of the apex body of the journalist community expressed the demand on Saturday while addressing a human-chain-cum-rally in Rajshahi. BFUJ organized the function at Kadirganj crossing in association with Rajshahi Union of Journalists (RUJ) to press home eight-point demands prior to the executive committee meeting of the apex body. With BFUJ President Omar Faruque in the chair, the function was addressed, among others, by Former President of BFUJ Monjurul Ahsan Bulbul, its Vice-President Madhusudan Mondal, Secretary General Dip Azad, Treasurer Khairuzzaman Kamal and leaders of ten other units. Omar Faruque said the price hike of essential items has increased the living costs, also putting the journalist community into financial hardship. He said the interim allowance is needed for the journalists to cope with the price hike of essential items before the formation of the 10th wage board. He also called for fulfilling their eight-point demands, including an amendment to the 9th Wage Board Award for reinstating the facilities for journalists enjoyed under the previous wage board awards within the quickest possible time and its implementation. The eight-point demand of BFUJ includes immediate passage of Mass Media Employees (Conditions of Service) Act.
