KARACHI, Oct 4: The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), the global organization representing over 500,000 journalists in more than 110 countries, and its affiliates joined Pakistani journalists in calling up on the Pakistan government and newspaper owners for the implementation of long overdue wage awards.

Journalists around the world united on Tuesday to protest against the continued exploitation of Pakistani journalists. Many Pakistani journalists work two or even three jobs to make ends meet and others have to work under daily wages, without the security of a permanent position or offer of an appointment, an IFJ release said here on Tuesday.

“Media businesses in Pakistan have become very prosperous in recent times so there is absolutely no excuse for newspaper owners to not pay the legal wage award,” said IFJ President Christopher Warren.

“The IFJ applauds its affiliates for joining in the day of action that will put pressure on the Pakistani newspaper owners to implement wage justice to strengthen and protect press freedom and the independent media in Pakistan,” said the IFJ President.

The IFJ, along with its affiliates, also called on the Pakistani government to appoint a new chairman for the Implementation Tribunal and fulfil its legal obligation to ensure the formation of the now overdue Eighth Wage Board.

“If newspaper owners refuse to budge, the government must listen to this protest and stop giving advertisements to newspapers that do not implement the award,” said Warren.—PPI