Radhe will be among the first films to resume shoot

As Producers' Guild issues two separate handbooks for producers and crew to explain on-set practices, FWICE to discuss adding rules that are daily-wager friendly
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; May 27, 2020)

Earlier this month, mid-day had reported that the Producers' Guild was developing the first draft of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to be followed by the cast and crew when shoots resume. These guidelines have now formed the basis of two handbooks — a 12-pager for the producers, and a 14-pager for the cast and crew — that have been issued by the Producers' Guild.

In the latest development, the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE), while welcoming the SOPs, has proposed 25 additional guidelines, with an emphasis on the welfare of the daily-wage workers. While the Producers' Guild has approved 18 of them, the remaining seven clauses will be discussed by the two bodies, in the presence of the members of Indian Film and Television Producers' Council (IFTPC), in a virtual meeting today.

Birendra Nath Tiwari, president, FWICE, explains, "We believe every worker should have minimum security guarantee. So, we will be addressing vital points such as their shift hours, and their need for accommodation if they are reporting to a set. If a unit member tests positive for Coronavirus, we will urge the concerned producer to bear the expense of his treatment in a private hospital."

The Rules Under Discussion
- No crew member to go home while the shoot is on; s/he must be put up in hotels.

- All previous dues to be cleared.

- Monthly payment to be cleared at the end of every month.

- Daily-wage workers' payments to be cleared on a daily basis, even if they are shooting in their city of residence.

- Assuring minimum life insurance guarantee of Rs 50 lakh.

- Unit members to work on an eight-hour shift. Work to be divided into two shifts a day.

- A unit member who tests positive for COVID-19 during the shoot or during his travel for shoot should be mandatorily provided treatment in a private hospital.