As the talks with Tamil Film Producers’ Council (TFPC) remained deadlocked on Monday, the Film Employees Federation of South India (FEFSI) has decided to go ahead with the indefinite strike from August 1 as announced.
FEFSI president R.K. Selvamani asserted the TFPC did not come forward to resolve the ‘general conditions’ — factors that determine a day’s wages.
Despite the strike call, the TFPC said that it would ensure that the work would go on without the workers from FEFSI. TFPC treasurer S.R. Prabhu said “there can be no compromise” with the old system of deciding wages, which has been unviable for producers.
With three unions – South Indian Cinematographers Association, South India Cine Stunt Directors and Artistes Union and Tamil Nadu Film Dancers & Dance Directors Union – expressing their wish to co-operate with the TFPC, Mr. Selvamani said that they were engaging in the protest for their rights. “The wages are fair. The bone of contention is the ‘general conditions’ – which decide what the time period for a day’s work is? How many people should be employed per film? How much should be paid extra if the shooting goes beyond the stipulated time that constitutes one-day wage? Because these haven’t been discussed in a concrete manner for the last 8 years, these issues crop up in every single movie. We are asking the producers’ council to fix it. Unless they agree to a time-bound talks, we cannot do anything,” Mr. Selvamani said.
The recent action of the technicians’ union, which resulted in stoppage of shoot in R.K. Suresh’s Billa Pandi, resulted in worsening of the relationship, as the TFPC is insisting that the union be de-recognised. “For a mistake like this, we cannot de-recognise the whole union. We have assured the TFPC that such instances will not happen again. And we have also agreed to 40% of TFPC’s demands,” he said.
‘Self-regulation needed’
Union shoul Mr. Prabhu said the union has to self-regulate, terms have to be renegotiated and enforced properly.
Asked why the TFPC was not budging even though the FEFSI had agreed to several of their demands, he said, “They say that they will agree to the new terms. But the next day, some union member will say that they cannot agree to the new terms. They will continue to demand old wages. The union works for ad films, short films, television serials, documentaries and so on, but why is the TFPC allowed to work with just the FEFSI? We should be free to work with anyone.”
Asked how TFPC will cope with finding man-power and labour, he said that TFPC will have to learn to cope with the shortage.