SECTOR 4 salaries depend on how long practitioners have been working for the paper, and increments are negotiated, along with performance-based rewards and other benefits. Increments are in three categories: notch, which is a small amount added to an employee’s salary on the day they were engaged or anniversary; annual increment across the board, which is usually negotiated for by the union; and performance-based increment, which is effected yearly after an employee has satisfactorily met or surpassed given targets. Every employee is also entitled to medical, education and fuel allowances. At UNZA Radio, only two people earn salaries: the station manager, who holds two degrees and earns a salary of about K13 000, and the station’s technician, who earns about K9 000. Salaries at community radio stations are much less than those at the private and public media houses. Catholic Community Radio has 10 salaried employees, and several volunteers. The radio service recently implemented contracts, including for volunteers, and provides some incentive for transport. The contracts have helped to clearly outline the obligations of each party, and to ensure that time commitment is defined, as volunteers or part-time employees would often stay longer at the station, with the hope of landing a full-time position. At other community radio stations, full-time staff could expect a salary of K1 800, reporters earn about K1 600, and volunteers receive K280 to K300. The implementation of a minimum wage for media employees was debated, with some panellists highlighting the need for “at least a basic salary and security of employment through due process”. Others felt that “when we employ people, they should protect their jobs. It’s not for the employer to protect their jobs.” Various unions exist in the media fraternity, and have acted on behalf of their members to negotiate wages (see indicator 4.4). Community media are unable to form unions because to form one, a minimum of 25 people is required, which poses a challenge for most community stations as they have a very small number of staff. The timely payment of media practitioners has been a problem on occasion. This includes the payment of freelancers. One panellist recounted how he lost his “job after two months because I wrote a letter to the editor asking for overdue payment. I was told ‘how can you ask for payment, when there are others that haven’t been paid for four months?’” As a freelancer, ensuring the receipt of payment can also be a burden, particularly in cases where there is no contract, and only a verbal agreement exists, which “can be set aside at the whim of an editor”. The health and safety of journalists is not always guaranteed or safeguarded, Photojournalists are particularly vulnerable and their safety is often compromised for simply taking photographs. These problems can’t be addressed universally by 62 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER ZAMBIA 2013