Remember Journalists This Trying Time, NUJ Urges Philanthropists

With billions of naira rolling in for the vulnerable in society, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has also called for the accommodation of its members.

The Oyo State Council of the NUJ made the appeal in statement to journalists today.

It appealed to philantrohpists as well as other good natured individuals to lend a hand of support to journalists in this hour of need.

The appeal was contained in a statement which was signed by the Chairman and Secretary of the council respectively, Ademola Babalola and Sola Oladapo,

The union lamented what it described as cut in the pay of journalists under the guise  of the parlous revenue generation because of the ravaging global pandemic – Coronavirus, saying that that should not be reason to cut salary that was already not significant, yet not regular.

“The meagre monthly salary, which was never commensurate with the contributions of our colleagues, had in many establishments remain unpaid, thus putting the journalist undue pressure to fend for himself and his family.

“The development has further impoverished our colleagues and make them laughing stocks in the society.

“Living is no longer bearable for many with those receiving regular salary complaining of harsh economic trends in the land.

“Some establishments are shortchanging our colleagues by cutting off their meagre salary by 50 per cent

“We use this medium to appeal to media owners to have a rethink on their anti-workers posture in recent time and fear God in their dealings with our colleagues.

“Worse still, investigation has shown that virtually all media houses, with no exception, have neither given protective gadgets nor provided palliatives to their staff since the outbreak of ravaging COVID-19.

“We are being exposed to risks in meeting our daily tasks of informing and enlightening the public, yet we are more prone to the risk of contracting the deadly virus.

The union appealed to philanthropists in the state to come to the aid of journalists by providing them with more welfare packages that could make them stay safe.

“This will make them to do more in their daily routine as essential frontline workers,in containing and combating Coronavirus.” The statement added