Dhaka, Apr 29 (UNB) – Leaders of Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) on Sunday renewed their demand for immediate formation of the eighth wage board for journalists and press workers.

The fresh demand came from a DUJ executive committee meeting held at its National Press Club office with its President Omar Faruque in the chair. DJU general secretary Shaban Mahmud moderated the meeting.

The DUJ leaders alleged that the Information Ministry is dilly-dallying on constitution of the eighth wage board even after seven years of formation of the seventh wage board.

They said the breach of promise by the Information Minister to form the board within the first week of February evoked resentment among the journalists, creating a distance between the government and the journalist community.

They urged the ministry to act responsibly with the journalists and announce the new wage board immediately to reduce the gap.

The DUJ leaders also said the Information Ministry is pushing the situation out of control by delaying the declaration of the eighth wage board.

They alleged that a vested quarter is disseminating confusing information regarding a certain period for forming a new wage board after the previous one.

Meanwhile, the DUJ executive committee put on hold the membership of its former treasurer Shahana Sheuli on charges of misappropriating its fund during the tenure of the past committee.

The meeting also decided to serve her with a show-cause notice to explain within seven days as to why her DUJ membership should not be declared cancelled.