NEW DELHI, June 3 � The term of the Wage Boards for working journalists and non-journalists and other newspaper employees have been extended till December 31 this year, according to a Government notification.
The term of the Wage Boards under the chairmanship of Justice G R Majithia had come to an end on May 23. However, Justice Majithia had sought an extension up to December 31 to submit his report.
�The Central Government hereby extends the term of the Wage Boards under the chairmanship of Justice G R Majithia up to December 31, 2010 so as to finalise the recommendations of the Wage Boards on or before December 31 without any further extension of time,� the notification issued yesterday said.
The Boards were constituted three years back, in accordance with the provisions of the Working Journalists and Other Newspaper Employees (Conditions of service) and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1955, for the purpose of fixing or revising rates of wages in respect of working journalists and non-journalists and other newspaper employees.
The Labour Ministry had reportedly opposed giving extension to the wage boards and had insisted on setting up of a tribunal.
The issue of giving the extension came up before the Union Cabinet on May 19, when Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had asked Labour and Employment Minister Mallikarjun Kharge to discuss the matter with I&B Minister Ambika Soni.
The Confederation of Newspapers and News Agencies Employees Organisations had threatened to launch a nation-wide agitation if the government failed to extend the tenure of the wage boards.
The Confederation had contended that when the Boards had completed more than 75 per cent of the work, they should be given an extension.
Journalists and non-journalists had also staged dharna in several cities across the country in support of the demand. � PTI
