Film and TV producers
from Mumbai may not be able to even exercise the option of working outside
Mumbai as the Apex body of all six major Film Federation Workers AIFEC has
declared unconditional support for the strike. In a major show of support for
the FWICE, the AIFEC core committee in its emergency meeting passed a
resolution supporting the strike call by the Fwice and declared that their
members would support the strike in any and every way possible.
The AIFEC Gen.
Secretary Shri B. Unnikrishnan, the renowned director from the Malayalam
industry, stated that he had gone through the basic charter of demanded of the
Fwice and was surprised and shocked that the producers had problems with
signing it. He said " It seems that they (the producers ) are focussed on
their own profits without caring at all for the health and welfare of their
workers" While lauding the initiative of the Fwice the AIFEC President
Shri G. Shiva (Fefsi) said that demands like no work beyond a 12 hour shift, 2
nd Sunday as compulsory holiday, demands for basic safety, sanitation
and security to ensure dignity of women at the workplace cannot even be
debated"
The Fwice President
Shri Kamlesh Pandey was very vehement in stating that the attitude and dealings
of most producers showed scant respect for human rights and labour laws. Due to
there being no guidelines for functioning they have been taking the workers for
a ride. Shri Amit Behl (Sr. Vice President Fwice) stated that the situation has
reached a boil where the artistes, workers & technicians did not want to
take any more. People were collapsing on the sets and being hospitalised.
Governmental labour laws were thrown out of the window to just show more
profits.
With the hardening of
stands of both the sides, the battle lines are drawn and it remains to be seen
what the future holds in store for all concerned.
