UJOSS threatens legal actions over suspension of journalists at The City Review, Al-Hagiga

JUBA – The Union of Journalists of South Sudan (UJOSS) has issued a stern warning to the management of The City Review and Al-Hagiga Newspapers, threatening legal action if they do not reinstate 10 journalists who were suspended for striking over pay disparities with foreign colleagues.

The journalists, employed by Rak Media Group, the parent company of the two newspapers, began their industrial action on July 24, demanding substantial pay increases amid rising inflation in South Sudan.

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

Local staff reported earning less than $100 a month in the rapidly depreciating South Sudanese pound, while foreign colleagues received thousands of dollars in salaries, along with benefits such as accommodation and transport.

In a statement issued on Thursday, UJOSS declared that the suspension of the journalists was illegal and demanded their immediate reinstatement with full pay for the period of their suspension.

“The Union of Journalists of South Sudan (UJOSS) urges The City Review and Al Hagiga Newspapers to reinstate staff that had hitherto been illegally suspended without any preconditions,” read part of statement.

The union emphasized that while employers have the right to lock out employees, the journalists in this case had not engaged in any illegal activities.

“Employer[s] have the right to Lockout action for the purposes of seeking to resolve a dispute regarding any matter of mutual interest to which an employee or employer is a party,” it said.

“Staff of the City Review and Al Hagiga Newspapers have done anything illegal; their suspension was illegal; they have to be reinstated with full pay for the period for which they were illegally suspended,” it added.

UJOSS has vowed to take legal action against the management of City Review and Al Hagiga Newspapers if they fail to comply with the union’s demand for the reinstatement of the suspended journalists.

“UJOSS stands ready to take legal action against The City Review and Al Hagiga Newspapers if the aforementioned illegality continues,” said Majak Alier, secretary-general of the Union.

The union’s core mandate, as outlined in its constitution, is to ensure the safety and protection of journalists, promote professionalism, and safeguard the welfare of journalists in South Sudan.