Fahmi meets with media reps to discuss salary issues, job loss

Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil held a meeting with about 30 representatives of media organisations today to discuss the welfare of media personnel.

In a closed-door discussion that lasted over an hour at the Parliament building, issues discussed included the delayed payment of salaries, job loss, and non-compliance with employee benefits.

For the past few months, the Communications Ministry has received reports from media practitioners that employers have failed to pay their salaries on time, as well as neglecting contributions, including to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).

Apart from the ministry, other affected parties have also filed police reports and complaints to the Manpower Department regarding employer neglect.

At the meeting, Fahmi said the government views seriously the increasing trend of issues involving the welfare of media practitioners and wants every employer and company to be responsible for their staff.

As immediate assistance to affected media practitioners, the ministry has provided help through the Tabung Kasih@Hawana, managed by the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama).

Apart from the salary issue, the rapidly changing media landscape with artificial intelligence has also affected the industry, causing many practitioners to be laid off.

In this regard, Fahmi said his ministry would hold regular engagement sessions with the media to obtain input and long-term solutions to protect the industry.

Appreciation expressed

Meanwhile, several media practitioners expressed their appreciation to the minister for his continued concern in defending their plight.

According to them, Fahmi is the first minister to hold such discussions, thus acting as a facilitator and intermediary to help them convey their demands to their respective employers.

It was reported recently that 15 employees from The Malaysian Insight, The Vibes, and Getaran, claimed Petra News Sdn Bhd failed to remit their EPF contributions, tax deductions, and Social Security Organisation (Socso) contributions for 2024.

In a joint statement, they said a check with the EPF, Inland Revenue Board, and Socso found that Petra News failed to submit payments on behalf of employees and employers to the relevant authorities despite salary deductions being made for statutory contributions.

- Bernama

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