| News Details |
| Why did Journalist Rajesh Awasthi kill himself | |
New Delhi, June 01 (Scoop News)-The Delhi Union of Journalists(DUJ) is shocked and saddened at the suicide by dismissed Dainik Jagran employee Rajesh Awasthi in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh.
It is reported that Awasthi was ill and depressed after being dismissed from Dainik Jagran where he had worked for many years. He was under severe financial strain and reportedly took his life by swallowing 'sulphas' tablets.
DUJ regrets that low wages keep many journalists poor, barely able to survive and bring up families with dignity. Retrenchment can be a severe blow, pushing many into poverty.
Retirement often has a similar impact. Few journalists are able to save enough to build a house or put aside money for the retirement years. In the absence of a proper pension, they become dependent on their children simply to survive.
Under the Working Journalists Act employers had to give retrenchment pay of three months' wages. The new Labour Codes have reduced this benefit to a mere one month's retrenchment compensation. The contract system of employment that does away with the permanent jobs envisaged by the Working Journalists' Acts leaves journalists vulnerable. Unemployment is common in the profession. The complete absence of job security and the lack of social security drives people to desperate measures, as happened with Awasthi.
DUJ calls upon all state governments to pay decent pensions to journalists, since employers refuse to do so. We demand proper compensation for Awasthi's family. We urge all journalists to unite and support the demand for better wages, an end to the contract system, proper retirement pension and social security benefits including subsidised healthcare.
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