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President Ram Nath Kovind gives nod to Delhi Working Journalist Act

New law will impose heavy penalty in case of non-payment of due wages

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President Ram Nath Kovind assented the 'Delhi Working Journalist Amendment Act 2015' on Thursday, which is aimed at ensuring "effective implementation" of the Majithia Wage Board. The amendment, besides increasing the wages, allows penal provisions, including imprisonment of up to one year, in case of non-adherence to the act.

Delhi Labour Minister Gopal Rai while commenting on the act, on Thursday, said, "Delhi has become the first state to bring amendments in the law to ensure effective implementation of the Majithia Wage Board in the country."

Nagendar Sharma, media in-charge of the AAP, also tweeted that "Delhi becomes the first government to ensure implementation of journalists wage boards."

The Delhi Assembly had in 2015 passed a bill seeking to amend the Delhi Working Journalist Amendment Act, 2015, in order to introduce changes in the existing law.

According to a Delhi government notification, as per the amended law, in case of non-payment of the due wages to an employee, the employer will be punishable with imprisonment of description which may extend to six months or a fine which may extend to Rs 200 per employee per day or with both, till the offence is continued.

According to the new law, violations can lead to penalty amount ranging from Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000 and a jail term of up to one year for the offender.

The law, which will be applicable to all Delhi-based media organisations, provides for contractual employees to be treated as working journalists.

A notification regarding this was issued by the department of law, justice and legislative affairs on May 7.

In case of complaints, the act also allows authorities concerned to make direct payment of "compensation not exceeding five times of the amount of the wages due the newspaper employees".

PROVISIONS

  • Employer will be punishable with imprisonment which may extend to six months or a fine which may extend to Rs 200 per employee per day or with both, till the offence is continued
     
  • It will include contractual employees to be treated as working journalists   
     
  • Violations can lead to penalty amount ranging from Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000 and a jail term of up to one year for the offender under the new act
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