A recent survey conducted by the Broadcast Journalists Center (BJSC) paints a bleak picture of the working conditions for journalists employed by television channels in Bangladesh. The survey, which covered 30 TV channels across the country, highlights numerous issues, including irregular salaries, lack of job security, and insufficient employee benefits.

According to the survey, 35% of the TV stations surveyed pay their employees irregularly. Over 150 journalists have been laid off this year alone, and in 20% of TV stations, employees have their salaries delayed for two to five months. The study reveals that 79% of TV stations do not offer health insurance to their employees, and 72% do not provide life insurance. Furthermore, approximately 76% of TV stations lack a provident fund (retirement savings) for their staff, and nearly 90% of stations do not offer gratuity benefits.

The survey also highlights that 90% of TV stations do not provide annual pay raises or increments, with such decisions being made at the discretion of the station management. Only 10% of stations offer this benefit. Additionally, 34% of TV stations do not provide any festival bonuses, further adding to the list of shortcomings.

The study indicates that job termination procedures are also problematic, with 45% of TV stations failing to issue a notice when laying off employees. Even when notices are given, 52% of stations impose their own set of conditions. Furthermore, over 48% of stations do not provide any benefits to those who are laid off, while nearly 49% provide some benefits, though not standardized. Only a small percentage of stations offer partial benefits.

Regarding time off, the survey found that 59% of TV stations provide weekly and other holidays, while 14% do not offer any time off at all. Furthermore, 28% of stations leave this decision up to their own policies. On top of this, more than 72% of TV stations do not pay overtime or extra wages for work on public holidays. Notably, 97% of TV stations do not provide bonuses for the Bengali New Year (Pohela Boishakh).

The study also sheds light on other employee welfare issues. Around 90% of TV stations do not offer daycare facilities, and 93% provide maternity leave, but for only three to four months, which is considerably less than the six-month maternity leave granted in government jobs. Furthermore, 82% of TV stations lack a sexual harassment prevention committee.

These findings were presented during the 5th Broadcast Conference, organized by BJSC, held on December 21 at the International Mother Language Institute in Segunbagicha, Dhaka. Shahnaaz Sharmin, Executive Member of BJSC, shared the survey results at the opening session.

Veteran journalist Shafique Rehman was the chief guest at the event, and in his speech, he emphasized the responsibility of journalists in safeguarding their own freedom of expression. "The responsibility of protecting freedom lies with you, the journalists," he stated.

Kamal Ahmed, head of the Media Reform Commission, was the special guest at the conference. He stressed the importance of securing both the right to free expression and the livelihood of journalists. He also called for systems of accountability within the media sector.

The conference, themed "Reform, Security, Independence," was chaired by BJSC Chairman Rezaul Haque. Senior journalists Khairul Anwar, MRDI Executive Director Hasibur Rahman, July Shaheed Smriti Foundation CEO Meer Mahbubur Rahman (Snigdha), and other prominent figures also spoke at the event. The wife of the late journalist Mehedi Hasan, who was killed during the July Uprising, Farhana Islam, also participated.