Journalists at City Review protest alleged pay gap with foreign colleagues

JUBA – Dozens of journalists at The City Review and Al-Hagiga newspapers have launched a strike over what they say is a vast pay disparity with their foreign colleagues. The two publications are owned by Rak Media Group.

The protest comes as the company’s owner, Akol Ayii, faces scrutiny over a controversial oil deal through his separate company, Trinity Energy. The Sentry, a non-profit watchdog, alleged in a 2023 report that Trinity Energy’s 2018 deal with African Export-Import Bank involved bribery, money laundering, and potential sanctions violations.

The journalists, who began industrial action on July 24, are demanding significant pay rises amid soaring inflation. They accuse management of intimidation after raising concerns about the salary gap.

Local staff say they earn less than $100 a month in the rapidly depreciating South Sudanese pound, while expatriates receive thousands of dollars in salaries, plus benefits such as accommodation and transport.

“We, the journalists working for The City Review and Al-Hagiga (Arabic) Newspapers, author this letter to express our deepest concerns and clear the air on the recent events that led to changes in editorial content for these esteemed newspapers,” the journalists said in a statement.

“As you may have witnessed in recent days, the last few editions of your favorite newspapers were filled with stories sourced from various wires (online), which is against the editorial policies and has not been the case before,” they added.

“To avoid any doubt, we would like to make it clear that we the national staff (journalists) have been staging an industrial go-slow since July 24, 2024, to push the management of RAK MEDIA to listen to our grievances concerning the low payment structure,” they continued.

The strike has disrupted operations at both newspapers, with content heavily reliant on wire stories. The journalists allege that their foreign colleagues are paid as much as $2,500 a month, compared to just $100 for local staff.

“We notified the management, in writing, about the need to increase our salaries and wages. Instead, what we got was a bucket of intimidation. Due to the above threats, we declared not to send stories until the management addressed our grievances. Our demand for a salary increment is something we see as necessary and reasonable since the national staff are paid in South Sudanese Pounds (SSP), and it has become an unreasonable amount due to currency depreciation,” they said.

“Just to point out a few observations, for example, an expatriate in the editorial department earns not less than USD 2,500 and above including free accommodation, transport, air tickets, airtime, and food, among others. Meanwhile, the highest-paid national staff receives less than 100 USD, paid in pounds,” they said.

The group said they requested management to review their salaries, but instead received threats prompting their decision to go on strike.

“Considering the prevailing economic situation, we requested the management to review our salaries, a request that has been met with intimidation and downright arrogance. While we continue to acknowledge the role expatriates play, we therefore appeal to the management to also appreciate these facts and address our complaints. We shall continue to engage the management of RAK MEDIA to ensure that they develop a policy that values the efforts of national staff,” they said.

When contacted by Sudans Post, Rak Media Group Chief Operating Officer R. M. Rajadurai expressed surprise at the industrial action, promising to investigate the matter and address the journalists’ grievances.

“I was not aware of that, I receive the call now then I call the news editor and he said some group has posted this kind of demonstration that is why I am going on my way to the office, I will check and give you update,” he said.