The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) wrote a letter to Maharashtra Chief Minster Uddhav Thackeray on Monday night, requesting the resumption of labor within the media and leisure (M&E) trade. Films and tv capturing is at present on maintain owing to the second wave of the Covid pandemic.
The letter is signed by FWICE Chief Advisor Ashoke Pandit, President BN Tiwari, Chief Advisor Sharad Shelar, General Secretary Ashok Dubey, and Treasurer Gangeshwar Shrivastav. It reads: “With reference to the subject matter, we would like to draw your attention to the numerous requests sent to you by the FWICE and the co-ordination committee regarding our request for resumption of work in the M&E Industry. However, none of our letters have been responded by your good office and no decision has been taken on our requests.
“Sir, allow us to apprise you that there are lakhs of artists, staff and technicians who’re jobless for the reason that previous one and half years and that the one supply of earnings for them is from the M&E Industry. This trade has been offering work to lakhs of fingers and enabling their households to earn their each day bread. However, the lockdown of the Industry has impacted the lives of those each day wage staff who’ve absolute no different supply of earnings and are completely depending on the work of the Industry.
“The announcement of extension of the lockdown for another 15 days shall really be a setback for these deprived set of artists, workers and technicians and also the economy of the Industry. Not only the workers but the producers are also affected badly with huge investments already made into the running projects which have been to a standstill due to the unfortunate lockdown. We being the mother body of 32 different crafts of artists, workers and technicians of the industry have been receiving numerous calls from our members regarding their difficult survival conditions and requesting us to start the work of the Industry.
“Sir, we hereby request you to please present us with a particular permission to renew the work of the M&E trade enabling these lakhs of each day wage staff to earn their residing and survive with their households throughout these most tough instances. We shall make sure that the work shall resume with strict adherence to the SOP’s, Guidelines issued by the federal government particularly for the M&E Industry.
“FWICE and the Co-ordination Committee assure you that all the Rules and regulations of the Government shall be followed by each and every crew member and all necessary precautions shall be taken at each work location.
“We look ahead to your understanding, cooperation and your permission for us to renew the work within the M&E trade accordingly,” the letter concluded.
