Question : REGULATION OF SALARIES FOR JOURNALISTS

(a) whether the Government is aware of journalists in print and electronic media being exploited and under paid by their media houses in the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto;

(c) whether there is any law to regulate the salaries and remunerations of all journalists;

(d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;

(e) whether the Government proposes to bring all media personnel including journalists on contractual basis under the Wage Board; and

(f) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

MINISTER OF STATE(IC) FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (SHRI BANDARU DATTATREYA)

(a) & (b): The Ministry of Labour & Employment constitutes Wage Board for working journalists and non-journalists newspaper employees of the print media. The Central Government only accepts the recommendation of the Wage Boards and notifies the recommendations in the Gazette of India. The responsibility of implementation of the recommen- dations lies with the State Governments/ Union Territories.

(c) & (d): The Central Government constitutes Wage Boards for fixing / revising the rates of wages in respect of journalists and non-journalists newspaper employees of the print media only under Section 9 and 13 C of the Working Journalists and Other News paper Employees (Conditions of Service) and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1955.

(e) & (f): The Working Journalists and Other News paper Employees (Conditions of Service) and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1955 covers working journalists and includes any other person employed to do any work in, or in relation to, any newspaper establishment.