After Salman Khan, Aditya Chopra-led Yash Raj seeks account details of daily wagers from FWICE to enable financial assistance
Uma Ramasubramanian (MID-DAY; April 2, 2020)

As the suspension of shoots enters its third week, Yash Raj Films (YRF) — one of the leading production houses in Bollywood — has thrown its might behind the daily-wage workers. The Aditya Chopra-led studio seems to have taken a cue from Salman Khan as it reached out to the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) earlier this week and sought account details of the daily wagers, in its first step towards offering financial assistance.

Gangeshwar Srivastav, treasurer, FWICE, says, "On Tuesday, the team of YRF called asking for account details of the daily-wage workers. We have sent the account numbers of 15,000 workers to them. This is the first big production house that has come forward to show its support."

Over the past few days, Bollywood stars have joined the good fight by making sizeable contributions to the PM-CARES Fund and the state government's relief fund. In doing so, they have not forgotten the junior artistes, make-up artistes, technicians and others who play an integral role in giving shape to their films. "We are grateful to Salman Khan, and Rohit Shetty who promptly donated Rs 51 lakh for the cause. Many others are donating directly to the government," he adds. Yesterday, Ajay Devgn pledged to contribute Rs 1 lakh to FWICE for the cause.

Sanyukta Iyer (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 17, 2017)

Crew working on Padmavati pool in Rs 2 lakh to contribute to bereaved family
Sonil Dedhia (MID-DAY; January 5, 2017)

Almost 10 days after the freak death of painter Mukesh Dhakiya on set of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's 'Padmavati', the production team has granted compensation of Rs 20.80 lakh to the bereaved family.

Three members from the production house met the bereaved wife and members of the cine workers' union last afternoon. Dhakiya's co-workers have also extended a helping hand by pooling in money for the family.

Gangeshwar Srivastav, general secretary of film workers' union, said, "Around 70-80 workers, who were on set during the incident, decided to donate a day's salary to the Dakias. The amount comes to around Rs 2.2 lakh."

Dhakia's younger brother, Sunil said, "Nothing can compensate my brother's loss, but we are glad that Bhansaliji kept his promise. At least, the future of his two sons has been secured. We are thankful to the union for pursuing this with the production house."

Mukesh's wife, who is four months pregnant, has also been promised a job by the production house, added Sunil.

Compensation package
Total : Rs 23 lakh
Bhansali paid Rs 22.80 lakh
Co-workers contributed Rs 2.20 lakh
Mother gets Rs 3 lakh
Pregnant wife gets Rs 10 lakh, plus promise of job with production house
Rs 5 lakh fixed deposit opened in name of two sons aged 11 and 9
Workers' union will pay Rs 1 lakh to the wife

Workers' union ready to agitate
Meanwhile, the cine workers' union has written to the MD of Film City Studios, requesting for basic medical facilities, including a 24-hour doctor on call, a well-equipped ambulance and safety gear like harnesses and hats. "We are yet to hear from them. Next week, we will send a reminder and if we don't get any response, we will ask our members to withdraw from all sets at Film City during our annual meeting on January 26," said Srivastav.

Bharati Dubey (MID-DAY; December 20, 2016)

The shoot of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Padmavati was disrupted on Friday night as a group of workers staged a walkout over payment issues.

Gangeshwar Shrivastav, president of the Allied Mazdoor Union, said, “Around 22 lightmen working on the film hadn’t received wages for one and a half month. Even conveyance due of Rs 100 a day wasn’t given to them.”

With the workers on ceasework, the film’s shoot was stalled for nearly an hour. Bhansali then asked the workers’ union chairman, Ram Kadam, to intervene. Kadam said, “I am against stalling work, but the workers should be given their due. I spoke to Bhansali, who clarified there was a miscommunication and promised to clear the payment.”

Bharati Dubey (MID-DAY; November 21, 2016)

The cash crisis sparked by the overnight demonetization of high value currency notes has dealt a blow to Bollywood with daily wage workers struggling to keep the fire in their kitchens burning. The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE), which controls 22 unions covering various crafts, held a meeting to discuss various modes of payment to daily wage earners.

FWICE general secretary Dilip Pithwa said, “A few suppliers and producers are now issuing ‘group cheques’. Workers have been clubbed into groups. The cheque is made out in the name of one worker, who withdraws the money and disburses it to the others. In our industry, many workers still don’t have a bank account, but we have no choice but to make cheque payment mandatory.”

Pithwa said the heads of various unions under FWICE have adopted cheque payment, but a few categories like carpenters, junior artistes and other technicians are still paid on a daily basis. "A supplier who used to distribute Rs 1 lakh per day, is now able to withdraw Rs 50,000 a week. So, they are now merely managing to pay Rs 50-100 as conveyance allowance to daily wage workers,” he adds.

Pappu Lekhraj of the Junior Artistes’ Association says cheque payment isn’t a feasible solution for daily wage earners. “We are running to banks and petrol pumps to get money, but the withdrawal limit is coming in the way of payment. We have started maintaining an attendance register for all workers so that when things ease out, we will clear their payment," he says.

A member of the Mahila Kalakar Sangh, who is working on Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Padmavati and another small-budget film, alleges, “A few producers have put payment on hold while some others are continuing paying in Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes. I am unable to get change for the big notes. Those who agree insist on taking a cut.”

Gangeshwar Srivastav of Film Studios Setting and Allied Mazdoor Union says workers have no choice but to accept the old notes and get it exchanged at banks. “If they don't, they might lose their jobs. But we plan to take up the issue with producers.”

Producer Mukesh Bhatt says the industry’s day to day operations have been crippled following demonetization. “We can hand out cheques to contractual employees, but what about carpenters, spot boys and junior artistes? I cannot ask them to work on credit. I cannot pay them in cash because I cannot withdraw enough money. Work is suffering and many have postponed shoots. Television producers, who have to deliver daily episodes, are reeling under the crisis.”

Gaurav Dubey (MID-DAY; March 17, 2016)

On January 8, hitlist had published a report about Priyanka Chopra’s banner allegedly defaulting on payment to workers hired for an ad shoot in April-May last year. Now, the workers’ union has decided to boycott the production company until their dues are cleared.

Says a source, “The total dues came to nearly Rs 36 lakh, of which only Rs 20 lakh has been cleared. The remaining amount has been withheld for reasons best known to them. We sent them the bill twice in December last year, but they have not responded so far. Priyanka remained unavailable for comment.

Gangeshwar Srivastav, general secretary of Film Studio Setting and Allied Mazdoor Union, says, “It has been almost a year since our members rendered their services to Priyanka Chopra’s Purple Pebble Pictures, which hasn’t released the payment yet. After sending them a couple of reminders, her (Priyanka’s) aunt and two persons involved with the company, Ishaan Dutta and Amit Vij, had come to meet us. They assured us that dues of Rs 16 lakh would be cleared soon. However, they made payment of Rs 5 lakh to the art director. What about the workers? Now we are left with no choice but to issue a non-cooperation notice against Purple Pebble.”

Earlier, a source at her production company had claimed that they had an all-inclusive contract with the art director/set designer, as mentioned in the invoice, and that they were not liable to make payment to the workers. The money was directly paid to the art director, an official had said on the condition of anonymity. Anil Nagrath, secretary, Indian Motion Pictures' Producers Association (IMPPA) says, “PPP has already paid the art director but he hasn’t paid his workers. In addition to the money cleared, a cheque of Rs 5 lakh is lying in IMPPA’s office but the art director has not come to claim it. Now the workers are harassing PPP. It’s a plain extortion racket. Why are the workers continuing to work with such a art director?”

Anirban Das (MID-DAY; February 9, 2016)

The shoot of Vishal Bhardwaj’s Rangoon was disrupted on Saturday following a case of mistaken identity and comedy of errors. Members of Film Studios Setting and Allied Mazdoor Union (FSSAMU) marched into the set over pending dues, but the makers claimed that their payment had long been cleared.

On further discussion, it turned out that the film’s producer Sajid Nadiadwala had indeed signed a cheque to FSSAMU — only that it is a namesake affiliated to the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE).

Says a source, “The Gangeshwar Shrivastav-led Mazdoor Union had been dissolved by the FWICE in December 2014 for alleged criminal behaviour. They have since been operating as an independent body. Meanwhile, the FWICE set up a workers’ union of the same name, which seems to have got the payment from Nadiadwala now.”

Shrivastav says a cheque for around R 25 lakh has landed in the wrong hands due to confusion over the union’s name and that he’s planning legal action against the FWICE for forming its workers’ body under the same moniker of FSSAMU. “It is our workers who deserve the payment and we should be given the money. Around 90 per cent of the workers on set supported us; they are not members of the federation. If we do not get the payment, work on all Sajid Nadiadwala films will be stopped.”

Politicising the issue Prem Singh, chairman of the FWICE-affiliated workers’ body, says, “The federation suspended Shrivastav in 2014 and he has no rights to demand the payment of workers. I am the union chairman since January 23, 2015 and we will make all payment. Shrivastav is creating disturbance since he has the backing of BJP MLA Ram Kadam.”

Shrivastav, however, says, “In January 2015, members of our union elected Ram Kadam as the chairman.  He supported us as the chairman and not as a politician.” Despite repeated attempts, Nadiadwala remained unavailable for comment.

Gaurav Dubey (MID-DAY; January 8, 2016)

Priyanka Chopra’s production company seems to have landed in a spot of bother with members of the Film Studios Setting and Allied Mazdoor Union alleging non-payment of dues for services rendered during an ad shoot.

In two reminders sent to Purple Pebble Pictures last month, general secretary of the Union, Gangeshwar Srivastav, has pointed out that the members had worked for PeeCee’s banner from April-end to the first week of May.

A worker on the condition of anonymity says, “The outstanding payment is a little over Rs 16 lakh. We sent them the bill twice — on December 3 and December 30, but have not heard from them yet. Since we are daily wage earners, we are anxiously awaiting our payment to be cleared.”

Priyanka remained unavailable for comment, but a source close to the production house says, “We had an all- inclusive contract with the art director/set designer, which is also mentioned in their invoice, and we were never liable to make payment to the workers. The money was directly paid to the art director. It seems he hasn’t disbursed it to them, which is leading to all the confusion.”

Srivastav, however, claims only a part of the dues has been cleared so far. “We sent a few letters to them, but they have not got back to us yet. The total dues for the shoot was close to Rs 36 lakh, of which only Rs 20 lakh has been cleared. Payment of the remaining amount is being delayed,” he adds.

Documents of both parties are in mid-day ’s possession.

Anirban Das (MID-DAY; November 4, 2015)

The schedule of daily soaps and a few films is set to go for a toss with the Association of Film and TV Editors deciding to launch an indefinite strike from today. Reason? Signing of the new agreement between their parent body, Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) and producers’ association has been inordinately delayed and they are unsure if any of their demands will be considered eventually.

The memorandum of understanding (MoU) outlining the workers’ demands for higher wages and improved working conditions was expected to be signed by October 14, eight months after it was supposed to be renewed. However, it is still in the process of being fleshed out.

On Tuesday evening, the editors’ body met FWICE president Kamlesh Pandey, who tried to convince them against launching a strike, say sources. However, majority of members apparently expressed that a ceasework was the only way to bring their plight to the producers’ attention.

Firoz Khan, treasurer of Association of Film and TV Editors, says, “We had asked for a basic payment and monthly wages for all editors, instead of a lump sum payment of 90 days, but they haven’t agreed to it. Our members are really annoyed, angry and agitated since the MoU has been delayed for long. So, we are going on strike.”

J D Majethia, producer and co-chairman of Indian Film and TV Producers Council, assured that the process to sign the MoU was on. However, sources said that other unions among the FWICE’s 22 affiliate bodies are also likely to go on protest path soon.

Up in arms
Members of Allied Mazdoor Union have called for a non-cooperation on the sets of a TV show in Naigaon over wages for outdoor shoots. Work has been stalled for the last four days, confirmed Gangeshwar Srivastav, general secretary of the workers’ union

Asira Tarannum (MID-DAY; June 30, 2015)

Ashutosh Gowariker’s magnum opus Mohenjo Daro has suffered a setback workers refusing to construct the set at Ramdev Studios in Naigaon over payment issues. They have resorted to a ceasework since Sunday claiming that they should be paid one and half times their daily wage as they are working at a location outside Mumbai.

Gangeshwar Shrivastav, general secretary of Allied Mazdoor Union, says: “The producers have told us that the FWICE has recently passed a circular stating workers will only be paid their regular wages, and not 1.5 times of it as followed over the last 30 years. So workers have stopped the set work. I met them yesterday and am waiting for the makers to take a call on this.” The film’s line producer Lawrence D’Souza confirmed news of the ceasework, saying, "But as per FWICE’s instructions, we are paying them their regular wages.”

Interestingly, however, general secretary of FWICE Dilip Pithwa has a different version to offer. He claims that the workers are not only being given one and half times their pay but the set erection work has also resumed. “The work was stopped on Sunday due to illegal practices. The workers wanted to do their work, but some mischievous elements stalled it. The work has started and the workers are being paid 1.5 times their wages,” he adds.

Gowariker remained unavailable for comment.

Asira Tarannum (MID-DAY; April 8, 2015)

If sources are to be believed, two contractual workers employed for Kabir Khan’s Bajrangi Bhaijaan are awaiting their medical compensation totaling Rs 31,000 since the last few months.

A unit source a painter fractured his right hand at ND Studios last December and his medical expenses came to around Rs 26,000. “A month before that, a carpenter was diagnosed with dengue during the set construction and was hospitalised for five days. His medi-claim is about Rs 5,000. But neither of them has been compensated so far,” adds the source.

Gangeshwar Srivastav, general secretary of the Film Studio Setting and Allied Mazdoor Union, says: “We sent reminders about the bills to Mukesh Cineworld, the company which provided the contractual workers for the film, but didn’t get any response. So, we have now sent the bill to Kabir Khan.”

A source close to the production unit says the dues have been cleared, but the contractor may have not disbursed it yet. An official of Mukesh Cineworld denies the workers’ claims, stating: “The money has been given to the union. No medical bill is pending.”

Kabir, too, dismisses the buzz. He says, “I checked with the accounts department and there is no such reminder from the union. There was only a medical bill worth Rs 6,000 which was submitted last week.”

Bharati Dubey (MID-DAY; December 30, 2014)

Barely three days ago, the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) dissolved the Film Studio Setting and Allied Mazdoor Union amidst allegations of criminal intimidation and disruption of film shoots by its members.

Now it has emerged that the union's chairman Mithun Chakraborty had resigned about a year ago but the workers were kept in the dark about it. The actor had been leading the union since 1989.

FWICE president Kamlesh Pandey says, “It is true that he resigned a long time ago. He may have had his personal reasons but we feel he may have come to know what Gangeshwar Shrivastav (union general secretary who was expelled) was up to. In fact, Gangeshwar may have hidden the fact of his resignation only to be able to exploit it to his advantage and was falsely claiming that Mithunda was supporting him.”

Pandey adds that the veteran star had clarified about his resignation to Cine and Television Artistes Association general secretary and actor, Pankaj Dheer. “In the current scenario, Mithunda stands with us,” he asserts.

Gangeshwar, on the other hand, states that the union never accepted the resignation. “We consider Mithunda as our chairman and will continue to do so. Even when he tendered his resignation saying that he was planning to join politics, he told us that he will always back the cause of workers’ welfare.”

Chakraborty was not available for comment.

Bharati Dubey (MID-DAY; December 27, 2014)

The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) expelled six members of the Film Studio Setting and Allied Mazdoor Union, including its general secretary Gangeshwar Shrivastav, allegedly for disrupting shoots and indulging in criminal behaviour.

The decision was taken after Shrivastav prevented workers from reporting to the ND Studio at Karjat
alleging that they were not given food allowance.

Claiming to have filed a complaint with the trade union office, he says, “They are trying to get me out of their way as I am fighting for workers’ rights. They want to de-affiliate the union. I will speak to producers and ensure that they are not troubled and my members get work.”

FWICE president Kamlesh Pandey says the list of offences against Shrivastav and Co. runs long. “They had practically unleashed a reign of terror on the entire film industry due to which shooting and setting activities were being moved out of Mumbai by the producers. The general council of the FWICE unanimously resolved to expel him and five of his agents and dissolution of his entire committee. An 11-member ad hoc committee has been appointed to oversee the activities of the union and fresh elections will be held by January 31 next year,” he adds.

Producer J D Majethia states that the FWICE had expelled Shrivastav in the past. “We have been informed that a new committee will make sure that no shoot is stopped and Shrivastav is not allowed to interrupt our work,” he states.

MID-DAY (December 13, 2014)

A 36-year-old lightman died of a cardiac arrest at ND Studio in Karjat on Wednesday. Munib Ansari has been shooting for Kabir Khan’s Bajrangi Bhaijaan for some time now.

Gangeshwar Srivastav, general secretary of Film Studio Setting and Allied Mazdoor Union expressed his grief. “Ansari was in the hotel room when he suffered a heart attack. It was a morning shift and some of our members were present there Ansari suffered a massive attack and died on the spot.”

Ansari lived with his cousin in Mumbai. “His dead body has been sent to his native place and producers have taken care of it. The union expects death compensation of R 7 lakh as he had been working as lightman for nearly 13 years.” adds Srivastav.

The Federation of Western India Cine Employees has already been working a project that will take care of medical issues of workers.

Saddened by Ansari’s death, general secretary of FWICE, Dilip Pithwa said that one does not know what kind of pressure and stress the worker is going through when he comes to work. “We are working towards holding regular health check up or workers. A request letter has been sent to TV producers to donate R 10,000 each that will go towards health care of workers. One hopes they cooperate with us.”

Kabir has taken care of expenses and when contacted, the director said, “It is sad that he suffered a heart attack. He was with me for my other project Phantom as well.”

MID-DAY (December 10, 2014)

The Film Studio Setting and Allied Mazdoor Union stalled the shooting of Vikas Bahl’s film Shaandar at Essel Studio on Monday afternoon for non-payment of dues.

Gangeshwar Srivastav, general secretary of the union, said, “The producers of the film had to clear our dues which was about Rs 7 lakh. After our workers started non-cooperation on Monday morning, they have agreed to pay us Rs 4 lakh.”

The union is said to have refused to shoot till the entire payment is cleared. Srivastav adds, “They have this habit of holding onto the payment they cleared our Bombay Velvet payments only when Shaandar went on floor. We will not allow this to happen.”

A source from the union later informed us that the shooting for song-dance routine with Alia and Shahid resumed at 4 pm, after the producers of the film promised to clear the due by Monday evening.

Asira Tarannum (MID-DAY; November 13, 2014)

The shooting of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s period romance, Bajirao Mastani came to a grinding halt for the second time in five weeks after workers withdrew from the sets twice on Tuesday alleging nonpayment of wages.

A source from the sets says, “The issue has been going on for a long time. The light technicians and spot boys were not paid. The production team kept on delaying their payment and the workers were continuing without their wages. The Allied Mazdoor Union decided that they have had enough and launched a non- cooperation movement in the morning.”

However, the workers returned to the sets within an hour following an assurance that their payment would be cleared by evening. “But that was not to be. So, the workers resorted to a ceasework from 7 to 9pm. Later, the production team gave them a cheque of nearly R 8.5 lakh to restart the shoot,” adds the source.

Allied Mazdoor Union leader, Gangeshwar Srivastav confirmed the news while Bhansali remained unavailable for comment. On October 7, the workers had launched a non-cooperation movement on the film’s sets when they were allegedly denied conveyance allowance for working on Dussehra.

MID-DAY (October 8, 2014)

Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s dream project, Bajirao Mastani, seems to have hit a new hurdle. Grapevine is abuzz with reports that the film’s set designing received a blow after workers resorted to a ceasework alleging nonpayment of wages.

A source says, “The workers were neither paid on time nor given conveyance allowance. So they decided to launch a non-cooperation movement, which has brought the process to a standstill.”

The upcoming period romance stars Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone and Priyanka Chopra. The source adds, “The workers were called even on Dussehra and not given any conveyance allowance, after which the set construction was suspended. It was resumed only when they were given conveyance allowance, although their payments are still due.”

Allied Mazdoor Union leader, Gangeshwar Srivastav confirmed the reports. “Yes, we had called for non-cooperation on the sets of Bajirao Mastani because workers are awaiting payment. Till now, payment of around Rs 18 lakh has not been cleared. The workers, who were asked to work on Dussehra, were barely paid conveyance costs, that too when they refused to do any work on the sets. The production team has asked us to wait for payment for a few more days and if they don’t stick to their words, we will call for a non-cooperation movement again. All workers will withdraw from the film,” he says.

Sources close to the production team suggested that it was, in fact, the film’s art director who had withheld the payments.

Bhansali remained unavailable for comment.

Bharati Dubey (MID-DAY; September 23, 2014)

Construction work on the sets of Ashutosh Gowariker’s film, Mohenjo Daro in Bhuj, was apparently stalled for three days after members of Film Studio Setting and Allied Mazdoor Union issued a non- cooperation notice owing to non- payment of dues.

Gangeshwar Srivastav, general secretary of the union, says, “Our members were working on the set for more than a month, but no payment was made to them. They were not even given money for their regular expenses and we had to send our people money so that they could perform the Vishwakarma pooja on September 17.’’

Srivastava alleges that despite reminders from the union, the production house did not make any payment to their members. He says, “We were threatened with legal action if the work was stopped.”

Gowariker apparently lodged a complaint with the Indian Film and Television Producers Council alleging that the workers had stopped work resulting in financial losses for the makers and he also sought compensation for the same.

When contacted, Lawrence D’Souza, executive producer of the film, said that they had the workers’ cheque ready. “Since the set construction is taking place in Bhuj, going there and giving them the cheque took some time. That’s about it.”

Turns out that the producers have cleared the payment of Rs 18 lakh and now the workers are said to have resumed work on the sets.