AS Media Prima Bhd gets ready to axe their staff tomorrow, Gerakan Media Merdeka (Geramm) has strongly urged that the company pay all affected workers their due compensation.

Geramm said this call was made following complaints that a segment within the company’s management level has been overpaid for many years and contributed to the firm’s financial problems.

The Malay Mail, quoting sources, yesterday reported: “Ninety-seven in the Media Prima Bhd management have salaries above RM15,000 a month. Seven in NSTP alone have a total salary of RM300,000 a month. That is RM3.6 million a year.

“Which would you cut? Seven working staff at RM7,000 a month, which is RM588,000 a year or RM3.6 million for seven people?” the source was quoted as saying.

Geramm said it is understood that these individuals have been placed in non-editorial related positions, for example, the advertising department and management roles.

“We urge that more attention and focus is given to the core staff who have given their all and whose livelihood depends on the media industry in Malaysia.”

Staff at Media Prima Bhd, the country’s largest media company, will know tomorrow whether they are among those who will receive the chop through a retrenchment exercise.

Employees told The Malaysian Insight the letters were supposed to be issued on Friday but it was postponed as it involved a huge number of staff.

One of them said they were informed by the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) that the details of the letters are still being studied by the management.

Geramm also added that they would also like to draw attention to media owners with direct ties or links to political entities or leaders.

“While there is no law that prevents such practice, a real concern – both in Malaysia and other countries – is how it has further limited the role of journalists as agents of check and balance, and to deliver information for the people.

“Geramm echoes the call by our friends in the fraternity that the current situation should not be politicised by any parties for their individual interests.

“Attempts to politicise the situation will not help our friends in need, but rather only serve to worsen their already unfortunate state.

“Focus should remain on efforts to fight for the rights of affected workers.”

Media Prima houses, among others, the New Straits Times, Berita Harian newspapers as well as TV3, NTV7, 8TV and TV9. – December 15, 2019.