I am a working journalist in Kolkata and my employer has not paid salary for 3 months, what legal action can I take?
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Below is a comprehensive legal analysis based on Indian law for your question.
Working journalists are protected under the Working Journalists and Other Newspaper Employees (Conditions of Service and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1955, and the West Bengal Premises Tenancy Act 1997 rules applicable in your state. Non-payment of salary is a violation of the Act and the employer is liable to prosecution and recovery. You should file a complaint with the Labour Commissioner or the authority notified under the Act in Kolkata. The Calcutta High Court has held that the Working Journalists Act provides special protection and its benefits cannot be diluted by the employer. You are also entitled to gratuity, PF, and retrenchment compensation under the relevant central and state laws. The Wage Board recommendations for journalists, as upheld by the Supreme Court, are binding on newspaper establishments.
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