IFJ urges the Government to resume negotiations on journalists' CBA

Accra, Feb. 16, GNA - The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) on Friday urged the Government of Cameroon to facilitate the resumption of the collective bargaining agreement in the media sector, which has been suspended since January 2006.
     The work of the Equal Joint Committee, charged with the development, negotiation and the adoption of the National Collective Agreement for journalists and the media related professionals of Cameroon, which started on October 7, 2005 was suspended in January 2006.
     A statement from IFJ said the suspension followed the request made by the employers, making the signature giving certain conditions for the signature.
     "The lack of a suitable framework harmonising relations between the employees and the media companies, had opened the way to all kinds of abuse," it said, adding that dismissals of the journalists and media workers are rampant.    
     "This without doubt weakens the situation of the journalists and affects the quality of their work", said Gabriel Baglo, Director of IFJ Africa office.
     "The IFJ calls the government to facilitate the resumption of the work of the Equal Joint Committee for the fast adoption of the national collective agreement for journalists and of the media professionals of Cameroon.
     "This convention guarantees rights of media workers in the companies, as well as better working conditions of the journalists in order to improve the quality of the media in Cameroon," said the IFJ.
     The IFJ also calls on the media companies to promote the rights of media workers and to promote labour norms.
GNA

16 Feb. 07