Kantipur Publications on Tuesday defended its recent decisions to downsize its manpower.

Issuing a press release, the media organisation cited economic slowdown to defend its recent move to lay off and transfer journalists, and also said that it is well aware of its rights and responsibilities.

“Given the current economic condition of the country as well as the media industry, the publication had to review the finances as well as downsize the organisation’s manpower,” the statement reads.

The organisation further stated that it had offered financial packages as per the agreement reached between the management and the Kantipur chapter of the Federation of Nepali Journalists for the employees willing to voluntarily resign.

“A significant number of employees have accepted the financial offer and stepped down within the given deadline,” the statement said.

The media publication also stressed that it was clear about its legal responsibilities, while adding that it would not agree to hold dialogue with any third party, and would instead face the issue legally.

“While it is the organisation’s right to change the size of its manpower as per its needs, the publication is also clear about its responsibility to abide by the law,” reads the statement, issued by Pushpa Raj Giri, head of the Kantipur Publications’ human resource department. “In doing so, the first priority is to come to mutual agreement, while the only other option is to take the legal route.”

The publication further said there had been outside influence in the federation, citing attempts to suspend dialogues between the management and the Kantipur chapter and the staging of protests immediately after the agreement.

“The attempt to suspend the sub-body responsible for holding dialogues and agreements in favour of the working journalists also proves that the federation has been influenced.”

The publication house also said that the federation had lost its credibility, challenging the umbrella body to prove its claim on the number of employees it has accused the organisation of removing.

“The federation has lost its credibility by repeatedly issuing false statements, claiming that Kantipur had taken disciplinary actions against 82 journalists. The publication challenges the federation to prove that action has been taken against even half of the number claimed by the federation.”

The publication stated that it would be forced to take action against all those involved in defaming the organisation, gathering at the entrance of the organisation’s building, and disturbing other journalists and employees.

“If the defamation of the organisation, demonstrations outside its premises, and obstruction in the work of other employees and journalists isn't stopped, the publication will be forced to act against all concerned in accordance with the law,” the statement reads.