HC questions legality of 9th wage board

The High Court has questioned the legality of the 9th wage board formed to determine the salaries and facilities of journalists and staff of newspapers and news agencies.

The HC on Sunday issued a rule asking the information secretary, labour secretary and chairmen of the 9th wage board to explain in two weeks why the board should not be declared illegal.

The HC bench of Justice Moyeenul Islam Chowdhury and Justice Md Ashraful Kamal came up with the rule following a writ petition filed by the Newspaper Owners Association of Bangladesh (NOAB) challenging the legality of the formation of the 9th wage board.

Writ petitioner’s lawyer advocate Yusouf Ali told The Daily Star that the labour ministry is responsible for the formation of the wage board as per the rules of business issued by the president.

But the 9th wage board has been formed by the information ministry in violation of the rules of business, he said citing from the writ petition.

The government on January 29 constituted the 9th Wage Board to propose enhanced salary and other benefits of newsmen and employees in newspapers and news agencies.

The owners who were made members of the body are: Newspaper Owners' Association of Bangladesh (NOAB) president Matiur Rahman, vice-president A K Azad, treasurer Motiur Rahman Chowdhury, members MahfuzAnam and Tasmima Hossain and convener of Bangladesh SangbadpatraParishad (BSP) MG Kibria Chowdhury.