At least 19 journalists from Petra Group, a diversified Malaysian investment company representing news outlets The Malaysian Insight (MTI) and The Vibes, have joined a statement expressing grave concern at months of unpaid salaries and threats of dismissal, despite prior assurances that the payment delays would be resolved.
In a joint letter to management, the workers demanded that all salaries be back paid in full by September 16, a deadline which has now past, or they would be forced to ‘consider [their] future’ at the company. According to journalists employed at MTI, the demands have not yet been met and several journalists are currently on strike, while some editors remain working at the company.
The journalists allege they are owed six to seven months’ worth of salary payments, despite repeated promises from the company during visits to Petra Group’s office on April 13 and August 21, 2024, that all issues would be rectified. During these meetings, management promised staff representatives to arrears from November 2023 to February 2024 as a bonus, settle unpaid tax contributions, and provide medical insurance and cards for staff members. According to the employees, none of these agreements have been fulfilled.
The prolonged delay has resulted in significant financial hardship, with many journalists employed by Petra Group struggling to cover essential living expenses such as rent, utilities, and food. The staff statement also asserts that the journalists faced threats of dismissal during an attempted strike to demand their overdue wages.
In a statement released on October 1, NUJM and Gerakan Media Merdeka (GERAMM) called for the prompt settlement of all outstanding payments and condemned the delays as a form of ‘oppression’ by management. “A ‘free press’ is not free,” meaning there is a cost to be paid, including fair wages, to build a free media landscape. It must be emphasised that the failure to pay wages and other contributions that are the employer's responsibility is a violation under the Employment Act 1955,” said NUJM and GERAMM.
The NUJM said: “It is unacceptable that journalists and media workers must fight for what is rightfully theirs: fair and timely compensation for their dedicated work. The situation at Petra Group is appalling. Media workers should have been compensated accordingly. We demand that the company immediately fulfil its obligations and pay these hardworking professionals the salaries they are owed, without further delay or excuses.”
The IFJ said: “The failure to pay months of outstanding wages to journalists and the denial of their contractual entitlements is clear exploitation and a violation of the workers’ rights under Malaysian labour law. There can be no press freedom without fair wages and working conditions for media workers. IFJ calls on Petra Group to comply with the Malaysian Employment Act and labour rights legislation, calling for the immediate settlement of all outstanding salaries, tax contributions, medical insurance, and other entitlements as agreed.”