The All Indian Cine Workers Association, a prominent Bollywood trade body, has sent a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. highlighting the challenges faced by daily wage workers.
The All India Cine Workers Association (AICWA), a collective for industry professionals, has sent a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking a discussion to tackle the issues faced by “Laborers, technical experts, and entry-level creative professionals in the Indian film industry.
In the letter, sent on January 11, AICWA president Suresh Shyamlal Gupta emphasized the workers’ main complaints, which included low pay, lengthy working hours, and a lack of safety on film sets.
These people are the cornerstone of India’s dynamic entertainment sector, which holds a crucial influence in molding both the country’s economy and cultural identity. However, despite their invaluable contributions, they endure exploitation, poor working conditions, and limited social and economic protections.
We urge your involvement to tackle these challenges and recommend systemic reforms that would improve the well-being of these workers and bolster the entire sector,” the letter emphasized.
It emphasized that workers are forced to labor 16 to 20 hours a day without holidays, proper breaks, or rest.The letter states that employees are often required to work several consecutive days, adversely affecting their physical and mental well-being.
Established in 2016, AICWA is a workers’ union that advocates for daily wage earners, actors, stunt performers, choreographers, and others, with a membership exceeding one hundred thousand across India.
The organization also highlighted the lack of essential facilities on film sets, including inadequate fire safety and security protocols, leading to frequent accidents and even deaths. According to the letter, the food served is frequently of poor quality, which causes health problems.
The letter additionally requested an analysis of the resources provided to female workers. According to the letter, there aren’t enough changing rooms for female artists, especially during outdoor sessions. Forcing people to change in vehicles or near dangerous areas, jeopardizing their dignity and safety.
According to the AICWA, workers are engaged without formal contracts. The letter additionally requested an analysis of the resources provided to female workers.
In the event of a conflict, employees have no legal recourse, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation. The absence of job security fosters an atmosphere of anxiety and uncertainty within the workforce.
According to the charity, workers’ payments are sometimes delayed by months or even years, causing them to go into debt and financial difficulties.
Some employees do not get their wages, despite numerous follow-ups and efforts. The organization’s letter highlights that the absence of an organized payment system worsens their financial difficulties, while also pointing out that wages have remained largely stagnant over the past 20 years.
According to the AICWA, wages have significantly decreased post-COVID, with numerous workers now earning only half of what they did before, leaving them unable to cover even essential living costs.
According to the trade union, because the film industry is classified as a “unorganised sector,” employees do not receive regular employment or benefits.
Many laborers work only 2 to 10 days each month, leaving them unable to support their families. They mentioned in the letter that this instability prevents employees from obtaining housing or ensuring their children’s education, further highlighting the absence of medical coverage, which leaves them “exposed during health emergencies.”
The letter states that if an employee experiences an on-set accident, their family will not be entitled to compensation. In many occasions, producers, broadcasters, and production houses, cover up such incidents.
The AICWA asked for remedial steps to improve the lives of daily workers, including defining the film industry as a “organised sector” and instituting legal mandates for contracts, provident funds, medical aid, and gratuity.
The statement also emphasized that the government must establish guidelines for timely wage distribution and periodically update wage frameworks to align with inflation and the cost of living.
We kindly ask for the opportunity to meet with you and explore these pressing issues in more depth. “Your guidance and backing play a pivotal role in safeguarding the dignity, safety, and rights of individuals working within the Bollywood and Indian film industry. We firmly believe that with your support, these concerns can be addressed effectively, ultimately benefiting the workforce and fortifying the industry,” the letter concluded.
