Expression of Interest – Call for Media/Labour Rights expert to write Pakistan Labour Rights Bulletin

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) is seeking Expressions of Interest (EOIs) from experienced labour rights and media experts to take up a contract role as bulletin writer/editor of the Pakistan Labour Rights Bulletin. This call is for a journalist/expert to produce three bulletins for publication between July 2025 to April 2026, as part of the IFJ–NED Pakistan project “Promoting Labour Rights, Gender Equality, and Freedom of Association in Pakistan’s Media.” 

About IFJ

The IFJ is the global voice of journalists. First established in 1926, the IFJ promotes international action to defend press freedom and social justice through strong, free and independent trade unions of journalists. Today it represents around 600,000 members in more than 140 countries in the world. Its affiliate in Pakistan is the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) which is a partner in this work.

Project Description 

The project is working to tackle systemic issues facing media workers in Pakistan, including precarious working conditions, lack of legal protection, gender inequity, and declining union strength. The bulletin is a central platform for reporting on developments in the industry, promoting best practices, documenting union, and worker successes, and advocating for policy reform and accountability.

The Pakistan Media Labour Rights Bulletin, which launched in 2022, is a key tool for amplifying the voices of media workers, fostering collective action, and promoting media labour rights reform by:

• Documenting key developments in media employment, labour rights, safety, and legal rights for journalists and media workers;

• Providing a platform for national and regional media union updates;

• Share interviews and success stories that inspire solidarity and build awareness on labour rights, collective bargaining, and the right to freedom of association and union membership;

• Ensure sustained visibility of gender equity issues within the media industry.

Core Content:

• Labour law developments and employment-related challenges

• Union success stories and collective bargaining gains

• Worker reinstatements, achievements, and legal victories

• Legal cases and abuses of labour rights within the sector

• Political and government developments pertaining to the media, labour rights and unions

• Public interest journalism and union campaigns

Each bulletin aims to shape the Pakistan national conversation on media worker welfare and building support for structural reforms that ensure sustainability, trust, and fairness in the media sector. The bulletin is published on IFJ’s digital platforms, including the South Asia Digital Hub, and should follow the established style and sub-head structure used in IFJ’s South Asia publications.
See previous Pakistan Media Labour Rights Bulletins below:

• March 2025

• September 2024

• May 2024January 2024

• October 2023

• July 2023

• April 2023

• November 2022

• August 2022

• June 2022

Deliverables

Contributors will be expected to:

• Submit 3 x bulletin contributions in English with Translation in Urdu

• Lead and drive innovative and engaging content and expand the bulletin’s reach among Pakistan’s media via social media engagement

• Conduct and include at least one interview per edition

• Incorporate union and PFUJ inputs where relevant

• Use verified data for legal cases and incidents

• Include visuals (photos, infographics) where possible

• Submit within strict editorial timelines

Timeline

The proposal should be designed for implementation and completion within the specified timeline. 

• Bulletin 1 – first draft due August 15, 2025 

• Bulletin 2 – first draft due  December 12, 2025

• Bulletin 3 – first draft due April 15, 2025 

Requirements: 

• Excellent proficiency in written English

• Knowledge and understanding of trade unions and the labour movement in Pakistan, particularly in the media sector

• Capacity to communicate confidently with union members and leaders 

• Self-directed, action-oriented, organized, motivated, flexible, punctual, and dependable 

• Good IT skills: Microsoft Office, internet, online communication tools, social media management. 

• Previous collaboration with unions or human rights organisations is an advantage

• Must commit to original, first-hand, non-AI-generated submissions

• The IFJ encourages applications with lobbying efforts on labour rights, even by province. 

Contract Details:

• One year contract to produce three bulletins

• Location: Remote/Online

• Remuneration: Paid per bulletin at USD 500