A national member of parliament has picked up to pursue justice for
the ‘illegally’ suspended journalists of the City Review and Al-Hagiga
Newspapers.
The 10 journalists were suspended by the management of City
Review and Al-Hagiga newspapers after a protest over low payment.
The suspension, which lasts for one month until August 29,
2024, came as a surprise to the journalists who expected the management to
address their grievances instead.
Hon. Juol Nhomngek said the suspension is contrary to the labour law of South Sudan.
“The employees at two newspapers were suspended illegally and sent home contrary to labor law of South Sudan. These journalists were demanding for equal pay with other foreign workers who are paid between $2,000 to $2,500 and our workers are paid less than $100,” Nhomngek said on Wednesday during the parliamentary discussion.
“We make the law in this country and the law must punish all the persons. What I have seen with these private organizations, they employ our generals or daughters of these generals to be protecting them. That is what I have discovered,” he said.
“The same issue repeated in Cueibet County where our employees with private health organization were dismissed without any reason for demanding the same issue."
The lawmaker urged the August House to summon the labour minister on the matter of the journalists and other mistreated national staff across the country or else take action.
“I’m calling upon this house to call the minister again and to be tough on the ministry. If the ministry is not able, then we have to take action. We need to protect our citizens. This is too much,” Nhomngek urged.
However, Nathaniel Oyet, first deputy speaker of the national parliament, directed to the labour committee in the parliament to look into the matter of the suspended journalists and report to the house if any difficulty arise.
“I don’t know whether there is a formal complaint from the affected employees. If there is, you [Nhomngek] can help to facilitate them to sit with committee on labour so that the committee responsible can pursue appropriate measures for redress at that level. In case of any difficulty, the committee can report it to us in the house accordingly,” Oyet directed.
On July 29, the institutions collected all the gadgets and identity cards from the journalists and suspended them for one month.
The management of City Review and Al-Hagiga newspapers has also issued a legal threat against the journalists accusing them of defamation.
The institutions' legal representative, Leek Lual John Deng, demanded apology from the journalists, warning them of legal repercussions if they don't comply.
According to the South Sudan Labour Act of 2017, employees have the right to strike to resolve disputes related to their employment.
The law ensures that workers can organize and participate in strikes as a means to address grievances and negotiate better working conditions.