Local media house suspends 10 journalists after strike

JUBA – Ten journalists at South Sudan’s City Review and Al-Hagiga newspapers have been suspended for a month after striking over pay disparities with foreign colleagues, the media house said on Tuesday.

The journalists, employed by Rak Media Group, the mother company of the two newspapers, began industrial action on July 24, demanding significant pay rises amid soaring inflation in the African nation.

They have accused the management of intimidation after raising concerns about the salary gap between local and expatriate staff.

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

“This letter serves to notify you of your suspension starting from July 29, 2024, for 30 days. This suspension is due to noncompliance with the company policy and procedures. Kindly note that confidentiality is expected from you, in compliance with the contract you signed with the company,” reads part of the suspension letter dated 29th July 2024.

The company warned the journalists that failure to comply with the suspension would result in legal action. They were ordered to return work badges and company information.

“Failure to comply with any course of the company policy and procedures during this time will attract legal proceedings. Hand over all your work badges and company related information to the management. The management expects you back on August 29, 2024,” the letter said.

Oyet Patrick Charles, chairperson of the journalists’ union, said the union would seek to mediate between the staff and management.