Justice G.R. Majithia, who had headed the Wage Boards for the journalists and the non-journalists of the news papers and the news agencies, has welcomed the Supreme Court verdict upholding his recommendations.
Talking to The Hindu from Chandigarh over phone on Friday, Justice Majithia said he wanted to thank the Apex Court for honouring his recommendations by stating that there were “genuine considerations”. His stand on the issue had been vindicated as the employers’ organisations had been stating that the newspapers might witness closure if the recommendations of the wage boards were implemented.
The Labour and Employment Ministry on November 11, 2011, notified the recommendations of the wage boards. The ministry has been claiming that it has no role to play and it is for the respective labour departments of the State governments/Union Territories to enforce its implementation.
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The revised wages, Dearness Allowance and variable pay, will be applicable to over 40,000 journalists and other employees. They also get increased allowances like — house rent, travel, medical, hardship and leave travel.
The Wage Boards were constituted in May 2007 and the Boards, gave their reports to the Centre on December 31, 2010.
The Wage Boards have classified jobs into six groups and accordingly suggested six scales in each class of establishment. There will be an average increase of 25-30 per cent to the employees in their total salaries/wages if the employers’ implement the recommendations
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