Culture

TV standoff is over in India

by Sanjay Jha | November 19, 2008 at 09:39 pm

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Millions of Indian TV viewers were deprived of their favourite daily soap operas due to an indefinite strike called by Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE), which controls 22 unions covering various crafts associated with the film & Television industry. But the frustratingly long wait for fresh content has ended and for telly stars the holiday is over with the deadlock between producers and workers ending on Wednesday. Workers have got a 30-35% hike in wages, and producers have agreed to satisfy their other demands too.

The wheels of Mumbai’s film and television industry had came to a grinding halt on Wednesday as nearly 1,50,000 cine workers had gone on an indefinite strike. Mumbai is the main hub of the Indian film and television industry.

The stand-off between television producers and workers ended on Wednesday after a fresh memorandum of understanding was signed between the two parties. There is a hitch though - sound recordists are not happy with the way things have worked out and have threatened another strike if their demands are not met.

Despite the understanding, TV addicts will have to endure withdrawal symptoms at least until Monday. The television industry will return to work on Thursday but fresh episodes may be aired only on Monday after a meeting between broadcasters and producers in a day or two.

The producers gave in to most of the workers' demands and appeared to have blinked first. Payment will now be made on a monthly basis, with each worker signing an individual contract with each producer. "It's a clear victory for the workers," a senior director said.

Members of the Allied Mazdoor Union will get paid according to the new rates proposed by the FWICE. Compulsory group insurance for all workers will come into effect and every worker will have to sign an individual contract with the producer. Producers will also have to give a month's notice along with a month's salary before sacking a worker.