‘Our Media Our Rights’, an independent platform which works for media workers’ rights, has demanded the immediate implementation of the 9th Wage Board for media workers in Bangladesh.

This demand came amid growing concerns over the lack of adequate compensation and the ongoing economic struggles faced by media professionals across the country, said the organization in a statement.

The organisation said that the 9th Wage Board, specifically formulated for media workers employed in newspapers, should not only be enforced but also extended to include a uniform Wage Board for all media employees, including those in print, electronic, and online sectors.

They argued that without a standardized wage structure, media workers remain vulnerable to severe disparities and exploitation, it said.

“It is disheartening to see that despite positive initiatives being taken in other sectors following the formation of the new government through a student-led mass uprising, media workers continue to be overlooked,” said Ashraful Islam Rana, a spokesperson for the platform. “The current wage structure, established in 2013, has seen no increase in eleven years, leaving workers in dire financial situation.”

The 9th Wage Board was established in 2019 but has yet to be effectively implemented due to indifference of the government and  media owners' organization, he said.

The organization urged the government to take immediate steps to amend the 9th Wage Board in consultation with all stakeholders and ensure its effective implementation.