The essential service we render places us on the front line, yet our dedication is not reflected in our pay or welfare. We work without weekends, without public holidays, and often during crises, yet there is no special salary structure to recognise our efforts.
Prince Emeka Kalu, President of the Radio, Television, Theatre and Art Workers Union of Nigeria (RATTAWU), has renewed calls for the increment of salaries and improved welfare for media workers and cultural practitioners across the country.
He emphasized the urgent need for a special media salary structure that recognises the tireless contributions of radio and television professionals in the timely dissemination of factual, objective, and impactful information.
Kalu made this commitment while leading RATTAWU’s executive team to the Headquarters of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to formally introduce the union’s new leadership.
Addressing union officials, he underscored the deplorable working conditions faced by broadcasters and media personnel, noting that achieving sustainable improvements would require the active support and collaboration of both NLC and TUC.
“These image makers, those who shine the torch for others to see, should not themselves be navigating the shadowy parts of life. The essential service we render places us on the front line, yet our dedication is not reflected in our pay or welfare,” Kalu lamented.
“We work without weekends, without public holidays, and often during crises, yet there is no special salary structure to recognise our efforts.
“We are determined to pursue this goal vigorously and hope for your support in ensuring that our members receive the recognition they deserve.”
In addition to salary reforms, Kalu, a seasoned broadcaster with the Anambra Broadcasting Service, assured RATTAWU members that rebates and other entitlements would be systematically restored on a monthly basis.
He also called on local RATTAWU chapters to maintain consistent remittances to the national leadership to strengthen the union’s collective bargaining power.
Supporting the call, Joe Ajero highlighted the importance of collaboration among media unions such as RATTAWU and the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), stressing that unity is essential in advocating for workers’ rights and improved welfare.
Representing the TUC, Secretary General Nuhu Toro reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to solidarity with RATTAWU.
He assured that the TUC would work closely with the union, emphasizing that collective action is critical for amplifying the voices of workers and achieving meaningful improvements in salaries and working conditions across Nigeria.
With these developments, RATTAWU is set to intensify efforts to secure a dedicated salary structure for media practitioners, while strengthening collaboration with key labour organizations to ensure sustainable progress for workers in the broadcasting and cultural sectors.