Lucknow: Marking International Workers’ Day, the Uttar Pradesh Working Journalists Union intensified its efforts to highlight the concerns of media professionals across the state by submitting a detailed memorandum to Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak in Lucknow.
A delegation led by State President T.B. Singh met the Deputy Chief Minister and discussed a range of issues concerning journalists’ welfare, safety, and working conditions. The memorandum outlined several long-pending demands aimed at improving the socio-economic security of working journalists in the state.
During the meeting, Pathak extended his Labour Day greetings to journalists and assured the delegation that the government would examine the demands with sensitivity and take appropriate steps toward their resolution.
Key Demands Highlighted
Among the chief demands raised were the implementation of a pension scheme for all working journalists after retirement and the enactment of a comprehensive journalist protection law to ensure their safety while performing professional duties.
The union also called for the provision of subsidized housing or land at both state and district levels for journalists. In the healthcare sector, the memorandum urged the government to extend free medical treatment facilities to both accredited and non-accredited journalists at premier government institutions such as Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, King George’s Medical University, and Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences.
Additionally, the union demanded the restoration of dedicated registration and medicine counters for journalists in all government hospitals to streamline access to healthcare services.
Call for Financial Assistance in Case of Untimely Death
The memorandum also emphasized the need for financial assistance to the families of journalists in the event of untimely death, urging the state government to reinstate provisions that were previously in place.
Statewide Observance and Mobilisation
Apart from Lucknow, Labour Day programmes were organised by UPWJU district units in several parts of the state, including Lakhimpur and Bahraich. In Lakhimpur, journalists led by District President Kuldeep Pahwa submitted a memorandum to the District Magistrate, while in Bahraich, a delegation under District President Masood Qadri also presented their demands and welcomed State President T.B. Singh.
Positive Assurance from Government
Reiterating the government’s commitment, Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak said that the concerns raised by the journalist community would be given due consideration and that efforts would be made to address them in a timely manner.
The coordinated statewide mobilisation reflects growing unity among journalists seeking institutional support, legal safeguards, and improved welfare measures in Uttar Pradesh.
