The Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) has expressed concern over the non-availability of stipulated service facilities for working journalists working at Nagarik Daily, published by Nepal Republic Media Limited, and demanded that their salaries be ensured.

A team led by senior vice president of the Federation of Nepali Journalists Deepak Acharya on Wednesday locked the office of the managing director and chief executive officer of Nagarik Daily and urged the management to immediately provide the services required by journalists. The Federation has stated that a few hours after the lockout, the lock was opened in the presence of Nepal Police, local levels and concerned parties and dialogue with the management was initiated.

According to the Federation's general secretary Ram Prasad Dahal, the lockout had to be given prior notice because the agreement signed between the Federation and Nepal Republic Media Limited on August 22 was not implemented. Raghunath Lamichhane, president of the Federation of Nepali Journalists' Nagarik Pratishthan branch, said that the journalists were forced to go on strike after not receiving the stipulated service facilities for a long time. He said, ‘The government has not paid the minimum wage set and salaries have been cut by 50 to 75 percent for about 43 months under the pretext of COVID-19.’

Publishing House President Shobha Gyawali informed that about 300 journalists and employees are working in the organization, and said that even though some employees have joined the protest, the management is ready to resolve the problem. She said that the media house has been affected due to the overall economic recession in the country and there has been a delay in the payment of wages due to lack of resources.

The Federation of Nepali Journalists has been conducting protest programs including lockouts and sit-ins since Magh 4. The Federation is determined to continue the protest until the agreement is implemented.