Working Journalist Act

Media ethics and Law series

Working Journalist and Other Newspaper

Employees ( condition of services) and
Miscellaneous Provisions Act,1955

It contains 4 chapters containing 19

sections.
It covers

Principal and statutory rights and privileges of WJ

Their work hours,wages,gratuity
Rights entitled under, Industrial Disputes
Act,1947, Industrial Employment Act,1946,
Employee provident Fund Act,1952

Chapters

Chapter 1: introduction and the

application of the Act, definitions ( 1-2)
Chapter 2: part concerned with WJ (313a)
Chapter 2A part concerned with non
journalist newspaper employees ( 13b13d)
Chapter 3: Application of certain Acts like
IDA,IEA, EPF ( 14-15)
Chapter 4: Miscellaneous Provisions
( and inspection) ( 16-19B)

WJ Provisions ( 3-13A) s.3

The provision of IDA, 1947 is

applicable to all WJ, and the owner
can retrench
Any editor with 6 months notice
Any other Journalist with 3 months
notice

s.4 benefits

If the WJ had been retrenched duty

between 14th July 1954 -12th
March,1955 he/shall be entitled to
receive from the employer
Wages for one month or one
months notice period
Compensation equivalent to 15 days
average pay for every completed
years of service.

s.5 Payment of gratuity

Continuous Service
1- WJ is said to be in continuous service if he/she
has 3yrs of experience in newspaper industry and
(1) not terminated under disciplinary action (2)
he retires from service on reaching the age of
superannuation.
WJ is said to be continuous service, if they have
3yrs of experience, and voluntarily resigns from
service on the ground of conscience.
WJ is said to be continuous service, if they have
10yrs of experience, and voluntarily resigns from
service other than on the ground of conscience.
Any WJ dies while he is in service

s.5 Payment of gratuity

How its calculated
Gratuity is equivalent to 15 days average
pay for every completed years of service.(
or any part of that in excess of six
months) total amount of gratuity shall
not exceed 12 and a half months average
pay.
After death nominee or nominees
In absence of nominees
Male WJ- widow, children, parents
Female WJ- husband, children, parents

s.5 Payment of gratuity

If an organization is having 6 or less

than 6 number , gratuity wont be
equivalent to 15 days average pay
3 days ave pay if 0-5 yrs experience
5 days ave pay if 5-10 yrs
experience
7 days ave pay if 10+ yrs
experience

s.5 Payment of gratuity

2. Disputes
In case of any disputes, it will be
settled using IDA,1947

s.6 Hours of Work

Not more than 144 hrs in 4

consecutive weeks ( excluding time
for meals)
24 hrs of rest during a week

s.7 Leaves

Public Holidays , Casual Leaves

Earned leaves ( Full wages) 1/11th
of the period spend on duty
Medical leaves (Half Wages)
1/18th period spend on duty

s.8 Fixation or revision of rates of

wages.

Central govt. will fix or revise the

wages in respect of WJ from time
to time under this section
WJ ( Fixation of Rates of
Wages)Act,1958
It will be based on time work or
piece work

s.9. Procedure for fixing and revising rates of wages

Central govt. will constitute a wage Board
consisting

2 persons representing employer side

2 persons representing employee side
3 independent persons ( one will be a
judge or HC or SC , and he/she shall be
the chairman or chairperson

s.10 Recommendations by the Board

Wage Board through Notice seeks

representatives from WJ and other
persons interested in fixing or revising the
wages as per the Act
Every such representation shall be in
writing, and to be made with in a time
frame presented by the board.
Opinion must be reasonable, in congruent
with the capacity of the employer.

s.10 Recommendations by the Board

If it thinks fit, Board will evaluate the

representation by examining the
materials placed, and recommend to the
central government
They will specify the effect prospectively
or retrospectively
While making the recommendations to
the central govt. board shall consider.
Cost of living, industrial environment,
other circumstances

s.11. Powers and Procedures of the

Board

Wage Board has the power of a

tribunal, created under the
IDA,1947
Representations made are open to
the interested nominal fee is
charged
In case of any vacancies- filled by
central govt. in accordance with s.9

s.12. powers of the central govt. to enforce

recommendations of the Wage Board

After the receipt of the recommendation

cent. Govt. will make an order by
considering the recommendation or
subject to modification if it think fits
Before making any modification shall
inform the person likely to be affected,
and suggestions for further
recommendation
Order will be publicized in official gazette
with recommendations of the Board and
operation date

s.13. WJ entitled to wages at rates not

less than those specified in the order

When s.12 in operation, all WJ will

get the presented salary

s.13 A Power of the government to fix

interim rates of wages.

Central govt. in consultation with

Wage Board if necessary fix the
interim wages
Its applicable to all employees in
newspaper establishment
It will remain till the order under
sec.12 is passed