By Nasratu Kargbo
The Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) has called on the Independent Media Commission (IMC) to take appropriate action against media houses that pay below the minimum wage, according to the association’s Manifesto titled “The Media We Want”.
In his presentation on the 5th of June 2023 at the launch of the media manifesto, Lecturer Dr. Francis Sowa said that some journalists are paid below the minimum wage whilst others are not paid, insisting the IMC should enforce compliance by owners of media houses.
“The IMC should fully implement the provisions in its laws relating to minimum wage and social security contributions for journalists and take appropriate actions against defaulting media institutions”, Dr.Sowa said.
On guaranteeing the safety of journalists, Dr. Sowa called on the IMC and SLAJ to support Sierra Leone Reporters Union (SLRU) to work with the Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MLSS) and the Sierra Leone Labour Congress (SLLC) to ensure that the working conditions of journalists are guaranteed.
He said there are also concerns about the health of journalists, and they would want the government through the Ministry of Health and Sanitation (MoHS) to work in tandem with SLAJ to ensure the mental and physical well-being of journalists are addressed. He spoke about the occupational risks journalists face especially during and after emergencies which he said should be addressed
The Media manifesto explained that in Sierra Leone many journalists are paid below the minimum wage and that others are not paid even though the law has demanded that journalists are paid at least the minimum wage.
According to the manifesto, SLAJ and EU conducted a survey in order to ascertain the impact of Covid-19 on Sierra Leonean journalists and found out that the pandemic had affected the mental well-being of many journalists. It said it affected 86% of journalists financially and had a significant impact on their lives psychologically.
The Joint National Negotiating Board for workers on the 2nd March 2023 published in the Sierra Leone Gazette that the national minimum wage has been increased from Six Hundred to Eight Hundred Leones.
“In consonance with section 6 of the Regulation of Wages and Industrial Relations Act No. 18 of 10th December, 1971 the Sum of NLE 800 is now fixed as the New National Minimum wage for employees below supervisory level. The new minimum wage shall come into effect on the 1st April, 2023” a part of the gazette notice reads.
The Employment Act of 2023 states that: “A person who qualifies for the national minimum wage shall be paid a wage by his employer in respect of his work in any pay reference period at a rate which is not less than the national minimum wage”.
Copyright © 2023 Politico (07/06/23)
