Steps needed to ensure welfare of media workers: Arafat

State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Mohammad Ali Arafat has said some steps are necessary to ensure welfare of media workers.

The state minister said this in a meeting with BFUJ-Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists leaders at his ministry's conference room at the Bangladesh Secretariat on Wednesday.

He laid emphasis on bringing more professionalism and transparency in the media, saying misuse of mass media is not expected.

The state minister sought cooperation from all stakeholders, including journalists and the owners of the media outlets, in this regard.

Led by BFUJ President Omar Faruque, former President Monjurul Ahsan Bulbul, Secretary General Dip Azad, Vice President Madhusudan Mondal, Joint Secretary General Sheikh Mamunur Rashid, Office Secretary Sebika Rani and Executive Member Nure Jannat Akter Sima, and Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) President Sohel Haider Chowdhury and General Secretary Akhter Hossain were present at the meeting.

BFUJ leaders placed several demands, including announcement of incentive for journalists immediately, formation of 10th wage board, taking steps for realizing arrears of 9th wage board from media outlet owners, enactment of Mass Media Employees (Conditions of Services) Act, launching pension allowance for unemployed journalists above 60 years of age, formulation of the National Broadcasting Act, government intervention in ensuring safety of journalists in media outlets, two-day weekly holiday, and allotting land for housing project.

They proposed setting up a hospital designated for the journalists and forming a media monitoring committee involving senior journalists to tackle the disinformation.