NAJ-DUJ Demand Dues of UNI Employees from the NCLT

The National Alliance of Journalists (NAJ), the Delhi Union of Journalists (DUJ) and the Andhra Pradesh Working Journalists Federation (APWJF) demand that employees of the United News of India (UNI) be immediately paid all their dues, as the first priority during any financial settlement conducted by the National Company Law Tribunal to sell the struggling news agency.

In April 2023, after prolonged litigation by employees to claim their dues, the NCLT had begun a Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process through which bids were invited to sell the agency. Although several bidders were reportedly in the running, a single bid has finally come from Rakesh Ramanbhai Shah, reported to be a relative of Gautam Adani. In the absence of competitive bidding, the price offered will be low, adversely affecting the employees.

During the insolvency process, claims were invited from creditors, including both employees and ex-employees. Over 700 employees including those on contract and stringers submitted claims amounting to approximately Rs125 crore. Employees have not been getting salaries since March 2017 and the dues to each employee range from Rs 18 to Rs 42 lakhs. Those who took Voluntary Retirement in 2010 have received only half the package promised.

To compound problems, the State Bank of India has claimed it is owed a huge sum and that claim has been admitted. It seems that the employees may get only a small part of their dues. Many are living hand to mouth and at least one employee has committed suicide.

In a joint statement the NAJ, DUJ and APWJF demand that all dues to present and former employees, including the heirs of those who have died waiting for settlement of their dues, must be immediately paid their entire dues upfront, in a fair manner. The rights of employees must come first, before the gains of banks and corporate entities.

The statement also condemned the attack on journalist Nikhil Wagle and the government attempts to increase pressures on independent journalism as in the case of The Caravan where the government used the IT Act to pressurise Caravan to take down a report from its website within 24 hours. This it felt was another blow to press freedom which has been deteriorating.

Sd/- Sujata Madhok, President-DUJ, A.M.Jigeesh, General Secretary –DUJ, G.Anjaneyulu, General Secretary-APWJF, N.Kondaiah Secretary General-NAJ, S.K.Pande President- NAJ.