45% dearness allowance for journalists soon: PM
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said the government has enacted laws to ensure 45% dearness allowance for journalists.
"It is in the final stages of approval," she said during a session at the National Parliament.
Hasina noted that journalists often suffer due to a lack of job security.
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"To rectify this, the Information and Broadcasting Ministry is drafting the Media Workers (Terms of Service) Act, which is also in the final stages of approval. Initiatives have also been taken to take special projects for the accommodation of journalists," she said.
The PM said these in reply to a question by lawmaker Shahidujjaman Sarker during a Q&A session.
Hasina mentioned that a Tk10 crore grant has been allotted for families of Covid-infected journalists, while a Tk50 lakh grant has been given to the National Press Club for wages of its officials, staff and other expenditures.
She further claimed that currently 188 newspapers have implemented the 8th wage board for journalists. "Meanwhile the government is working to announce the 9th wage board to ensure better pay and facilities for journalists in the country," she added.
