FWICE ready to consider the proposal of marginal hike

FWICE ready to consider the proposal of marginal hikeWith the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) strike - in effect from November 9 in Mumbai - the shooting and editing work of about 60 shows and serials of a dozen entertainment channels has come to a standstill, forcing the broadcasters to re-run old shows.

An additional demand of Rs 12.3 lakh per shift to the 35,000 workers of the Mumbai-based television industry has put the weekly advertising revenue of Rs 35-40 crore generated by the general entertainment channels under pressure.

As the imbroglio between the broadcasters and the FWICE continues, the TV producers are working on a ‘revised’ salary structure to coerce the workers and the technicians to return to work.

The FWICE says that if the pay is raised, the workers will resume work ‘immediately’. In fact, in addition to the rise in pay, there are a couple of other related demands, like time-bound payment of the shift wage, and restricting shifts to 8 hours rather than the current 10-12 hours.

In a clear sign that they are willing to negotiate, the workers’ federation indicated that they may consider the proposal of a marginal pay hike that might be offered after the producers’ meet, to break the deadlock.

Dharmesh Tiwari, president of FWICE, said: “I have been told that the producers are going to offer a pay hike that might not match up to what we have been demanding. We might consider it, but we first need to see the proposal.”

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