Media release

03 November 2006

IFJ Commends Union for plans to Upgrade Journalists’ Labour Standards in Nigeria

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today welcomed a plan developed by the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) to improve labour conditions for journalists in Nigeria.

The plan came as the result of a workshop organised by the NUJ held October 30 – 31, which outlined a plan to work toward improving the condition of service for journalists in Nigeria.

The workshop gathered NUJ executive members and resource persons form the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the IFJ.

“Nigeria is a rich country, media organisations are making a lot of money and still there are journalists in Nigeria who have no contract with their employers, no salaries and no minimum condition of service. This is not acceptable,” said Gabriel Baglo, Director of the IFJ Africa Office.

The workshop recommended a restructuring of the NUJ along departmental lines, worked out a plan of action for Trade Union Development in the NUJ and set up a task force in this regard.

“Trade union activities in the NUJ are being strengthened through development of a model collective agreement, which should define minimum conditions of service for working journalists,” said NUJ President Ndagene Akwu. “The establishment of trade union training programmes to build capacity of members in negotiations and collective bargaining is also a positive move aimed at reducing industrial unrest.”

For further information contact the IFJ: +221 842 01 43

The IFJ represents over 500,000 journalists in more than 110 countries

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