Journalists from Radio Maisha, alongside colleagues from Spice FM, Berur FM, and Vybez Radio, have announced their intention to go off air starting July 3 if Standard Media Group does not address their salary grievances.
This decision was made during a meeting held on June 28, where staff expressed their frustrations over unpaid salaries and inconsistent payments.
In a letter addressed to the management, the radio team highlighted that they had not received their regular salaries for the periods between June to August 2023 and February to June 2024.
They emphasized the urgency of the matter, citing that mounting arrears have become unsustainable.
“The matter of unpaid regular salary and mounting arrears, as you’re aware, is one of urgency. As a department, we need to have this matter addressed,” the team stated in their demand letter.
The journalists have been facing inconsistent payments despite multiple promises from the employer.
This has led to growing discontent among the staff, who now demand immediate action from the company.
Their demands include 100% payment of June 2024 salaries by July 2, with a commitment to consistent salary payments moving forward.
The radio team also proposed that 30% of the outstanding arrears be paid each month until the full amount is cleared.
“With what is collected each month vis-à-vis what the salary burden is, let the amount be earmarked and kept aside to service salaries unfailingly,” the team suggested, acknowledging the company’s current economic challenges.
A meeting with the management is tentatively scheduled for July 4, but the journalists have made it clear that if their demands are not met, all programming on the four stations will cease on July 3. This bold move underscores the level of frustration among the radio staff and their determination to secure their livelihoods.
