APNS disappointed over PFUJ, Apnec announcement | Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)

Pakistan Press Foundation

APNS disappointed over PFUJ, Apnec announcement

KARACHI: The All Pakistan Newspapers Society (ANPS) has expressed its disappointment over the recent announcement by leaders of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) and the All Pakistan Newspapers Employees Confederation (Apnec), who rejected the necessity of either substantially amending or wholly repealing the Newspapers Employees (condition of services) Act (NESCOSA), 1973, said a press release issued by the APNS here on Thursday.

“This means that the process initiated in the courts of law by us will be taken to its logical conclusion and that all the matters as they stand can only be settled by the decision of the superior courts,” the press release said.

APNS President Hameed Haroon and Secretary-General Muhammad Aslam Kazi said a refusal by the Apnec and the PFUJ to the substantial amendment or repeal of the NECOSA, 1973, by the unions representing journalists and press employees “has effectively quashed the recent government initiative to bring in a negotiated settlement to resolve this fundamental problem.”

“The matter can only be resolved through the courts of law,” the APNS office-bearers indicated. “We brought this contentious matter to the notice of the superior courts because we are of the conviction that the fundamental rights guaranteed to the newspaper establishments under the Constitution are being contravened under the present law. A succession of governments has admitted that 35 years after the bringing in of the NECOSA, 1973, the law has inhibited the growth and quality development of the print media and has serious flaws. Both the 6th and 7th Wage Board Awards still remain under legal challenge. Now, only a decision by the superior courts will provide judicious solutions to the problem. The question of conducting bilateral negotiations with the industry unions given their recent statement does not arise,” the APNS statement concluded.
Source: The News
Date:6/20/2008