FWICE demands stricter safety norms, better working conditions on sets after worker dies on Bhansali’s ‘Love & War’ set

Mumbai: BN Tiwari, the President of the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE), has reacted to the death of a worker, Chandradhari Singh Yadav on the sets of the upcoming film ‘Love & War’ helmed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali.

Chandradhari Singh Yadav, who worked as a carpenter, died by electrocution on the sets of the film. He also demanded stricter safety protocols and better working conditions for the workers, who are the cogs driving the clockwork of entertainment industry.

BN Tiwari provided the update on the matter saying that although Bhansali had offered to provide INR 40 lacs to the kin of the worker, the body had requested the production to raise the amount to INR 50 lacs. However, SLB or his production haven’t yet reacted to the demand put forth by the body.

He told IANS, “On the set of ‘Love & War’ directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, one of our technicians died due to electricity. After his death, SLB helped his family by donating INR 40 lacs. It is a good amount, but we have requested him, because the worker was 42 years old, he was the only earning person. So, we requested the production to give him INR 50 lacs. There has been no response from his side yet. Our objection is only on this, not on health and safety. Health and safety, instead of 12 hours of maximum duty, 16-20 hours of work is being done”.

He clarified that it is not just about Bhansali, the cavalier attitude towards safety of junior artistes and workers is becoming a widespread practice, and needs to be curbed.

He further mentioned, “It is not just about Sanjay Leela Bhansali. On maximum sets, where serials are being made, where series are being made, where other works are being done, there is a problem everywhere. So, this is totally unacceptable to the condition. And the federation is going to take strict action on this. No matter whose set it is, our team will go for health and safety, and will go and find out how many hours he has been working. Our aim is not to stop shooting. Our main issue is that our workers, our technicians and artistes, who are being made to work like slaves, who are being made to work like slaves, should be stopped. We are technicians. We do entertainment for the cinema industry”.

He also said that the body has never filed an FIR against any producer, as they believe in approaching actions through a dialogue.

He went on, “The federation has never filed an FIR against anyone. Our power, the strength of our organisation, is such that people listen to us and respect us. Our organisation is set up to protect our workers. It is set up to fight for their rights, and safety. We are not set up to file an FIR against anyone”.

There has also been confusion over the chain of events with regards to the recent death of worker after a recent statement by the All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) in which they questioned the initial reports and demanded an independent and comprehensive investigation to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the incident.

Responding to the same, BN Tiwari said, “No, we have complete information that the wires were open due to the current and the cause of death is unknown. He died on the spot. He was a member of the elite labour union. Our people used to work with him. He was not working alone in the department he worked in. Many labourers were with him”.

“Some technicians were with him. Sound recorders were with him. Cameramen were with him. If we say that it was caused by the current and the post-mortem report also says that he died due to the current, then it is not true”, he added.

IANS