Maoist trade union backs off, says it will not shut down media houses

In the face of growing criticisms against the use of trade union issues to shut down publication of newspapers and broadcast of FM radio, the pro-Maoist All Nepal Trade Union Federation (ANTUF) has stated that it will no more shut down the media houses.

"Given the sensitivities of the media sector, we want to inform that in the coming days while raising the issues of workers we will opt for methods of agitations other than shutting down or disrupting the distribution of newspapers," says a statement issued by Shalik Ram Jamarkattel, president of ANTUF who is also a Maoist MP.

In a statement issued late Wednesday night, Jamarkattel has urged the union workers of The Himalayan Times and Annapurna Post to refrain from disrupting their printing and distribution.

He has also appealed to the management of publication, distribution and media houses not to deprive their workers of professional and organisational rights.

The printing and distribution of THT and AP dailies had been disrupted for five days while the broadcast of Radio HBC FM has remained stalled since ten days. Following the decision the printing and distribution of two dailies are expected to resume. nepalnews.com sd Aug 16 07

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