The Union Cabinet on Thursday discussed the recommendations of the Justice G.R. Majithia Wage Boards for The Journalists and Other Employees of Newspapers and News Agencies and deferred decision on the recommendations.
Informed sources said Law and Justice Minister M. Veerappa Moily, who attended the meeting, referred to the writ petition pending in the Supreme Court challenging the recommendations.
He also highlighted the opinions doing rounds that the Wage Boards had exceeded their brief by taking up issues that were not in the terms of references. Though the Supreme Court had not stayed the implementation of the recommendations, it had ordered notice and sought reply from the Union Labour and Employment Ministry.
To be taken up next week
Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni told journalists: “The issue of the Wage Boards will be taken up at the next meeting of the Cabinet next week.”
Justice Majithia gave his report to the Centre on December 31 last. Some of the managements are opposing the recommendations, saying that the wages recommended were too high and their implementation would cripple the media industry.
