BFUJ, DUJ demand compensation for journos dying of COVID-19

The apex body of journalist unions across the country, BFUJ, on Saturday demanded compensation of at least Tk 5 million for every newsman who has died of COVID-19 and support for the treatment of those infected, blasting the media owners’ apparent apathy towards the victims, reports BSS.

Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) along with its main affiliate Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) issued a statement following an emergency meeting saying, COVID-19 so far killed three newsmen and infected over 100 others but until now they received little support from their employers.

The unions issued a 12-point demand asking for appropriate compensations for the deceased newsmen, and financial support for the coronavirus infected journalists alongside payment of all outstanding dues including festival allowance ahead of the Eid-ul-Fitr.

They expressed annoyance at the role of two employers’ forums, Newspaper Owners’ Association of Bangladesh (NOAB) and Association of Television Chanel Owners (ATCO), saying that they even failed to issue a statement to condole deaths of the COVID-19-infected newsmen.

The statement also criticised the role of Editors’ Council as several mainstream media establishments fired many of their newsmen and workers during the pandemic.

“If the mass media owners fail to ensure newsmen’s health protection, pay their outstanding wages and allowances and attempt to retrench workers during this crisis period, the (journalists) union will be forced to opt for a tough stance like work stoppage,” the statement warned.

It added that if any journalist dies of COVID-19, the concerned employer would have to give at least Tk 5 million cash to the victim family as compensation.

“The union will extend their all-out support to affected newsmen’s family members if they sue the media owners for declining to shoulder their responsibilities and ensure protection of journalists and media workers,” the statement said.

BFUJ president Molla Jalal and secretary general Shaban Mahmud, and DUJ president Quddus Afrad and general secretary Sajjad Alam Khan Tapu issued signed the statement after the meeting at National Press Club with Jalal in the chair.

The meeting also observed a one-minute silence, paying tribute to the journalists Humayun Kabir Khokan, Hahmudul Hakim Apu and Aslam Rahman, who died of COVID-19 and with COVID-19 symptoms.