Click to play videoMumbai: Monday morning saw light-men, set workers and extras – who are essential for the production of Ekta Kapoor's daily soaps – trying to force their way into Balaji haven Sankraman. Their non-cooperation has brought all work to a standstill on the sets of many Balaji tear-jerkers including Kyunkii Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, Kahani Ghar Ghar Ki and Kaisa Yeh Pyaar Hai.
Their grouse – not only has Balaji refused to enforce the new payment slabs that were introduced two months back, but when the Workers Association's Vigilance Committee members were inspecting the working conditions in these studios on Sunday, Balaji got their honorary president, Prem Singh Thakur, arrested.
The workers say their demands are simple.
“If we are not paid for 40 days worth of work, what will these people do?” demanded Junior Artistes leader, Raja Bhai.
“Asking for the wage hike is our human right. If our president can be arrested, these producers will not think twice before abusing the regular worker," he stated.
Adds FWICE (Federation of Western India Cine Employees) General Secretary, Dinesh Chaturvedi, “For these serials, we work for 18-20 hours without breaks. Many times we don’t even get the time to have our meals.”
Yet most producers are not following the new slabs of payment for third grade workers. The new wage slab has been raised from Rs 350 per day to Rs 600, for a 10-hour shift.
When contacted for their side of the story, Balaji maintained that they are negotiating, and have said they refuse to react to the issue at large.
In an atmosphere where laws have always been given the cold shoulder, a strike is perhaps the only way out for these workers to demand what is rightfully theirs.
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