KARACHI: “Continuous struggle, hard work, dedication, complete awareness of labour laws and ground realities are some of prerequisites to become responsible journalist. Moreover, by familiarising ourselves with labour laws, we can learn about our rights and responsibilities and can wage legal fight if any such laws are violated.”

Senior journalist Sheher Bano Central Vice President of Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists addressing workshop of freelance journalists organised by Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists under Promoting Labour Rights, Gender Equality and Freedom of Association in Pakistan’s Media” in collaboration with IFJ and National Endowment Fund for Democracy on ‘Freedom of expression, gender equality and awareness of labour laws.’ Sheher Bano said that due to ignorance of labour laws, we fail to get our rights. Senior journalist and trainer Fizzah Shakil said that there are various laws to protect basic human rights as well as workers’ rights in statue books of Pakistan but there are also some limits and restrictions for people to maintain harmony in society. Saeed Jan Baloch President of PFUJ Sindh Chapter, said that forming a union in any media organisation, is very difficult process despite fact that Constitution of Pakistan gives every citizen right to association. “Workers also have right to association and form union under labour laws, but due to lack of awareness, all these laws have remained limited to papers only and implementation remains question mark.”

Published in The Daily National Courier, January, 27 2023

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