Dhaka, May 9 (UNB) – Journalists, employees and workers of newspapers and news agencies observed a six-hour hunger strike and work abstention across the country on Wednesday demanding immediate formation of the eight wage board.

The programme began at 10 am and ended at 4 pm. Journalists in the capital observed the hunger strike in front of the National Press Club.

Journalist leaders, including Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFJU) President Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, its General Secretary Abdul Jalil Bhuiyan, Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) President Omar Faruk and its General Secretary Shaban Mahmud, attended the programme.

Sangbadik Sramik Karmachari Oikya Parishad (SSKOP) on April 3 announced the programme for April 22 to press for the announcement of the new wage board.

Later, SSKOP deferred twice the date of the programme due to hartal of the main opposition.

Earlier, SSKOP also observed a countrywide six-hour work abstention on April 3 to press home the same demand.

The Prime Minister on July 18 last asked the Information Ministry to take steps for forming the 8th wage board for journalists after discussions with all stakeholders.

She gave the directive when a delegation of Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) led by its President Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury and Secretary General Abdul Jalil Bhuiyan met her at the Prime Minister's Office.