Indian Federation of Working Journalists - IFWJ

25/11/2025

New Delhi, IFWJ Headquarters Circular regarding the NC meet.
Dear Comrades,
The year 2025 has now been coming to a close. Thanks to the Chennai Union of Journalists (CUJ), we will be holding a small National Council meeting in Chennai on 27th and 28th December. The credit for organising goes to CUJ President Shri Lakshmanan Panneerselvam and IFWJ Secretary Shri K. Asadhullah. The meeting will be presided over by the President, Shri BV Mallikarjunaih. The main agenda of the meeting will be the abolition of the Working Journalist Act and Industrial Disputes Act from November 21, 2025, in view of the implementation of four new Labour Codes, which have subsumed 29 labour acts. The main meeting will be held on Sunday, 28th December. It is requested that those who want to attend the meeting must send their names through their state unit to the IFWJ Secretary, K Asadullah, on 9677080609 and CUJ President on 9003590075. A copy of the same may please also be sent to the > ifwj.ifwj .com<
National Confederation of Newspapers and News Agencies' Employees Meet.
On the 14th and 15th of December 2025, the meeting of the National Confederation of Newspaper and News Agencies Employees will be held in Chandigarh. As per the invitation received from the Confederation Secretary General, Shri M S Yadav, all the Federations of Newspapers and News Agencies have been invited to participate in the meeting. The meeting is being organised by Shri Anil Gupta of the Tribune Employees Union.
Vice President Hemant Tiwari’s illness
Our National Vice President, Shri Hemant, had to be hospitalised for a week in Lucknow to cure the liver ailments. By the grace of God and the intensive care of the Doctors, he is now absolutely alright.
Wishing a Merry Christmas and all the best to friends of the IFWJ.
Fraternally yours;
Parmanand Pandey

24/11/2025

All journalists, regardless of their medium, will be working journalists
The long-standing demand that all genres of journalists, whether print, electronic, or web, should be treated as Working Journalists has been accepted in the four labour codes. Until 21 November 2025, only journalists belonging to the Print media were covered as working journalists. However, now those working for electronic or web media would also fall into this category. Now the Central and State governments work for revising the wages in five years, for which they had to work hard to revise even after ten years.
The employees will find it very difficult to go on an agitation or strike if their number falls short of 300 because employers will not have to seek permission from the appropriate government if the number of workers is less than three hundred.
Earlier, it was not mandatory to issue an appointment letter to employees, but now it is necessary. The good thing is that all workers will get PF, ESIC, Insurance and other social security benefits. Until minimum wages were applied to scheduled industries/ employment, but now all workers will be covered, ensuring timely payment and financial security. Employers will have to ensure free medical check-ups annually for all employees above forty years of age. Women workers will have the opportunity to work on the night shifts so as to earn higher incomes.
In a way, these changes in the labour laws were long overdue, but what is to be ensured is that the labour department works sincerely.

23/11/2025

The Working Journalist Act Is Forever Replaced by New Labour Codes
With the introduction of four new labour codes, the Working Journalists Act has been effectively overridden. From now on, there will no longer be an Act like the Working Journalists Act. It has been incorporated into all the labour codes, especially the Code of Wages and the Occupational Safety, Health, and Working Conditions Code. Additionally, some provisions of the previous WJ Act are now referenced in the Industrial Relations Code and the Code on Social Security.
There will no longer be Wage Boards for media employees, as they will fall under the scope of the Code on Wages, 2019, which applies uniformly across all sectors, including media. Until now, media employees have faced difficulties in establishing new Wage Boards. Following years of efforts, once recommendations were submitted to the government, another struggle often ensued for their implementation. Court battles and strikes became almost routine across the country. In this context, it is a positive development because media employees' wages will now be reviewed every five years.
Another notable provision is that all FTEs, i.e., Fixed Term Employees, will be eligible for gratuity after completing one year of service. However, there are several shortcomings in the new Codes, as media employees will not be treated as a special category but will instead be subjected to regulations applicable to plantation, factory, and other gig workers.

23/11/2025

Four Labour Codes; Much will depend on their Implementation
Four Labour Codes (a) Code on Wages, (b) Industrial Relations Code, (c) Social Security Code, and (d) Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code have come into force from today, i.e. 21st November 2025. These four Codes have subsumed 29 labour laws. The main change is the subsuming of the Industrial Disputes Act 1947. Absence of disputes implies a harmonious relationship between labour and management. Therefore, every industrial relations legislation necessarily aims at providing conditions congenial to industrial peace. Almost all interruptions are due to industrial disputes. The object of all labour legislation around the world is to ensure fair wages and prevent disputes.
From now onward, it will be part of the Industrial Relations Code. Apart from the Industrial Disputes Act, the other two acts which have been subsumed within it are: the Trade Union Act and the Industrial Employment (Standing Orders). Not many changes have been made in this code from other labour acts. However, this restructuring ensures uniformity in working hours, overtime pay, and worker protections, aligning India’s labour ecosystem with global standards. Therefore, these changes are bound to impact every category of worker, including corporate employees, factory workers, gig workers, and those in the unorganised sector.
Universal Minimum Wage
The government will now set a statutory floor wage based on minimum living standards. States must ensure their minimum wages remain above the statutory floor wage, creating nationwide uniformity. For the first time, all employees, including unorganised-sector workers, are covered. The new wage definition brings clarity. “Wages” will now include basic pay, dearness allowance, and retaining allowance. At least 50% of total compensation must be basic pay, preventing companies from inflating allowances. This change may lead to lower take-home salaries but higher PF and gratuity benefits, as per labour experts quoted in earlier policy discussions.
Gender Equality
The codes prohibit gender-based wage discrimination, ensuring equal pay for equal work. Timely wage payment rules now apply to all employees earning up to Rs 24,000 per month, widening protection.
Work Hours and Overtime
The weekly cap remains 48 hours. Daily limits may be increased, but overtime must be paid at twice the normal rate. For the first time, work-from-home provisions are officially recognised, especially for services and IT sectors, giving companies and employees more flexibility. Gig and platform workers, drivers, delivery partners, and freelancers will receive social security benefits.
Aggregators will contribute 1–2% of their turnover into a dedicated social-security fund.
Industrial Relations: The threshold for requiring government approval for lay-offs, retrenchment, and closure has increased from 100 to 300 workers.
Employees must now give a 14-day strike notice, preventing sudden flash strikes. The codes introduce an inspector-cum-facilitator system with web-based, algorithm-driven inspections, reducing harassment.
Compliance, from licenses to registers, is now digitised under the “One License, One Registration” rule.
Gratuity for Fixed-Term Employees
Fixed-term workers will now get gratuity on a pro-rata basis, without needing to complete five years.
Factory and Contract Labour
Factories with 20 workers (with power) and 40 workers (without power) will now come under the Factory Act.
The Contract Labour Act applies to establishments with 50 or more contract workers.

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31/10/2025

Glowing Tributes to Shri Harihar Swarup

The Indian Federation of Working Journalists (IFWJ) deeply mourns the passing of Shri Harihar Swarup, a distinguished and principled journalist, who breathed his last in New Delhi at the age of 90. A long-standing associate of the IFWJ, Shri Swarup leaves behind a loving family comprising his sons, daughters-in-law, and grandchildren. His wife had predeceased him.
Shri Swarup served as the Bureau Chief of Press Trust of India (PTI), India’s premier news agency, where he earned immense respect for his integrity and journalistic excellence. Despite his close connections with influential figures, he remained humble and never wielded his access for personal gain or display.
A native of Lucknow, Shri Swarup embodied the city’s refined Kayasth culture and graciousness. His coverage of the Prime Minister’s Office was marked by fearless reporting and an unwavering commitment to truth. He ensured that every piece of news he delivered was accurate, balanced, and beyond dispute.
His life was one of quiet dignity, devoid of ostentation, yet rich in values that define true journalism. Shri Swarup’s legacy will continue to inspire generations of journalists to uphold the highest standards of the profession.
The IFWJ pays its heartfelt tribute to this towering figure in Indian journalism.

15/09/2025

IFWJ Urges the Government of Nepal to Take Action Against Those Assaulting Journalists
New Delhi, September 17. The Indian Federation of Working Journalists (IFWJ) has urged the Indian government to persuade the Government of Nepal to take effective measures to stop targeted attacks on journalists, especially Indian journalists reporting on recent violence in the country. A video of an Indian journalist has now gone viral, showing him being attacked by protesters. What started as a youth-led demonstration in Nepal has escalated into a campaign aimed at the free press and educational institutions, as members and supporters of various political parties have hijacked the protests to settle scores and incite violence.
In a statement, IFWJ Secretary General Parmanand Pandey said that troublemakers are organising a series of violent attacks, particularly against media outlets known for their independent journalism and anti-corruption coverage. Despite the increasing threats, state agencies have yet to respond with adequate action, raising concerns about the rule of law and press freedom in Nepal.
The deliberate targeting of the media and education sectors is seen as an attack not only on individual institutions but also on Nepal’s democratic values and constitutional freedoms.
The protests erupted after the government banned 26 social media platforms — including WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook — for failing to register with Nepal’s Ministry of Communication and Information Technology by a set deadline.

26/08/2025

IFWJ Expresses Deep Concern over Brutal Attacks on Journalists in Bangladesh
The Indian Federation of Working Journalists (IFWJ) has expressed deep concern over brutal physical attacks leading to the death of journalists in neighbouring Bangladesh. Over the past one and a half months, numerous journalists have been
killed, and hundreds have been injured. The body of veteran journalist Bibhuranjan Sarkar was recovered from the Meghna River in Munshiganj District, central Bangladesh, after he faced recurring intimidation by local authorities. Another journalist, Mehedi Hasan of Dhaka Times, was killed on July 18 after being shot while covering a clash between law enforcement officials and anti-government protesters in the southern Jatra Bari area of Dhaka. On the same day, a reporter for Ekattor TV was wounded in police gunfire.
Bangladesh's justice system is weak due to heavy political influence. There are also other barriers, such as legal costs, which many journalists and their families cannot afford. Investigations lack impartiality; everything is politically influenced, and the situation is worsening. The IFWJ has sent a letter to the Bangladesh government urging steps to ensure the safety and security of journalists.

20/08/2025

Circular from New Delhi, Secretary General’s Office, IFWJ Headquarters: 21.08.2025
Relaunching 'The Working Journalists'
We are excited to announce the relaunch of our historic journal, 'The Working Journalists', which will, in all likelihood, begin publication from October. This journal, once a trusted voice for media professionals, will again feature news and articles focused on the vital issues facing our industry.
For years, the integrity of our organisation and our movement was undermined. A former leader, who prioritised the interests of media barons over the rights of employees, weakened our collective strength. This individual’s actions—including writing letters against our organisation to the Press Council of India and working to dismantle our unity—have had a damaging impact. This has left media employees vulnerable to dismissals and exploitation by management, with little support from the government. The fragility of our movement is a direct result of this betrayal.
Defending and Expanding the Working Journalists Act
As you know, the government has abolished two key labour laws: the Working Journalists Act and the Industrial Disputes Act. Their provisions have been scattered across four new labour codes (Code on Wages, Code on Social Security, Industrial Relations Code, and Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code) that fail to adequately protect the interests of media employees.
Our top priority must be to fight for the reinstatement of the Working Journalists Act. We must ensure this act is comprehensive and covers all media employees, regardless of platform—print, electronic, web, digital, and social media. In the face of widespread layoffs and a lack of support from both management and government, unity and persistent struggle are our only recourse. Unlike those who waste time demanding empty titles like "the fourth pillar of the Constitution," we must focus on tangible action that genuinely empowers journalists and upholds the integrity of our profession.
Securing a New Office Space
We are urgently seeking a modern office space for the IFWJ, something we have lacked for many years due to the disruptive actions of a former leader and his associates. We request that all state units and their leaders assist in this effort.
Our IFWJ Vice-President, Hemant Tiwari, has been a strong advocate for a new office. While his recent health challenges have limited his involvement, we are confident he will soon return with his full energy to help lead this initiative.
National Council Meeting
We've received invitations to hold the National Council Meeting in two different locations: Bhopal and Trichy, Tamil Nadu. The meeting in Bhopal will be organised by our MP Unit Chief, Dinesh Nigam. The meeting in Trichy will be organised by the Secretary, South, K. Asadullah, in collaboration with the Tamil Nadu unit. We're still working to finalise the dates and will share more details soon.
Parmanand Pandey
Secretary-General: IFWJ

17/08/2025

IFWJ Asks Sahara Management to Address the Demand for its Media Employees

The Indian Federation of Working Journalists (IFWJ) has expressed solidarity with the media employees of Sahara India Limited, who have been protesting for nearly a month. They are on a
sit-in strike outside the main gate of the building in NOIDA. It is most
regrettable that instead of resolving the employees' issues, the management is
resorting to dishonest and ugly measures to suppress their protest. These
employees have been receiving irregular and significantly reduced wages for
many months, but, in fact, for many years.
In a statement, the IFWJ Secretary-General Parmanand Pandey has called on the management to make immediate payments of all owed wages to employees who have endured severe hardships over many years. IFWJ has also urged the appropriate Government to take prompt and effective action to address the employees' demands. It is truly a very sad reflection on the
part of the Labour Department of NOIDA, it has not yet acted to help support
the employees. The IFWJ has warned that if the government and management do not
wake up from their slumber, the struggle will be carried to other parts of the
country.