MUMBAI: Desi cine workers are seeking international help to set their sector in order. Better health and safety norms could just follow. Earlier this week, the cine and television workers' body of the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) met members of the Union Network International (UNI)—an international trade union body—to seek help to fight for their rights.
A two-member delegation, which was in India to study the health and safety conditions of workers, was appraised of the working conditions of cine and television workers by FWICE president Dharmesh Tiwari, who alleged that neither the government nor the producers' body paid any attention to the safety and health of workers.
"Workers are made to work long hours. There are no first aid or fire fighting facilities on the sets," said Tiwari. He also added that although the government has a Cine Workers' Welfare Fund, the amount that is made available to the workers is very little. Besides, the office of the fund is in Nagpur.
Both Adriana Rosenzvaig and Hanna Harvima of UNI said the union will be more than happy to help the workers' body fight for their rights. "We can work together towards bringing about a change," said Rosenzvaig. Harvima, who heads UNI's health and safety project, visited various sets in Film City. "She was shocked at the pathetic condition of the toilets," said Prem Singh of the Allied Mazdoor Union. "The dangerous wooden sets in India are in complete contrast to the sturdy metal ones I have seen internationally," said Harvima. Art director Nitin Desai, who was also present at the meeting, said he wants to introduce metal sets but doesn't know if producers will agree with the idea.
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