SANGSAD BHABAN, July 7, 2019 (BSS) – State Minister for Information Md
Murad Hasan today told the Jatiya Sangsad that the ninth wage board award for
journalists and employees of newspapers and news agencies would be announced
soon.
The state minister came up with the remarks while replying to a starred
question, on behalf of Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud, placed by ruling
party lawmaker Sheikh Anne Rahman (Women seat-19).
Murad said the media-friendly government, led by Prime Minister Sheikh
Hasina, ensured the salaries and other facilities of journalists and workers
of newspapers and news agencies by announcing the eighth wage board award-
2013 and later implementing it.
He said now a total of 167 newspapers are implementing the eighth wage
board.
Besides, the state minister said, the government formed a 13-member ninth
wage board, headed by a retired justice of Appellate Division of Supreme
Court, for journalists and employees of newspapers and news agencies, and
announced 45 percent dearness allowance for them.
He said the ninth wage board submitted its report to the government and
after scrutinising the report, a seven-member cabinet committee, headed by
Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader, was formed in this
regard.
Noting that the cabinet committee has already held a meeting with
stakeholders concerned, Murad said the ninth wage board award for journalists
will be announced soon.