Cine union, FWICE demand respect to charter of demand

October 2008

Report by: Ms.Anjali Sinha

The center of world’s largest film industry, Bollywood came to a standstill when technicians and actors refused to work in support to their charter of demands. The Federation of Western India Cine Employees, FWICE call it to be a non-cooperation action. Their action is being supported by senior artists as well. The union’s charter of demand include payment of wages as per agreed terms and conditions that includes direct and timely payment to the employees, continuous work schedule to be not more than 12 hours a day, payment as per agreed rates, priority in employment to the members’ of the union. The union has threatened that if the producers’ association fails to meet their demand they will continue their non-cooperation action indefinitely.

The next development was that the non cooperation movement was dropped after the producers’ association agreeing to their charter of demands. Please find below the report:

Victory of Indian film makers

After two days of non-cooperative action, crews returned to the sets on Saturday 4 October. The Federation of West India Cinema Employees, FWICE called off the action after the producers associations agreed to sign a memorandum of understanding. The producers have agreed to pay employees within 15 days of work being completed, to limit working hours to 12 a day and to use union labour only. The deal also includes minimum pay levels for the different crafts represented by FWICE.

Important is that now all four producers associations signed the deal whereas in 2007 only two associations signed a memorandum of understanding with the Federation. “The action of our Indian colleagues is a success and we congratulate FWICE and its leadership for its courage and resolve,» said UNI-MEI Director Jim Wilson reacting to the settlement. “We call on producers to respect this agreement and work with the unions to improve working conditions for all film workers", he added.

UNI-MEI is currently planning for project to improve health and safety in film production in India and believes that the new situation will help to facilitate the cooperation with producers.