FWICE Writes To Maharashtra CM Requesting Permission To Resume Work

Mumbai, June 1, 2021: The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) wrote a letter to Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Monday (May 31), requesting him to allow the resumption of work in the media and entertainment (M&E) industry.

Films and television shooting is currently on hold owing to the second wave of the Covid pandemic as the Maharasthra government has extended lockdown in the state for 15 more days. The FWICE wrote in the letter that the film body sent numerous requests regarding the resumption of work but nothing happened.



"With reference to the subject matter, we would like to draw your attention to the numerous requests sent to you by the FWICE and the coordination committee regarding our request for resumption of work in the M&E Industry. However, none of our letters have been responded to by your good office and no decision has been taken on our requests", FWICE wrote in the letter signed by Chief Advisor Ashoke Pandit, President BN Tiwari, Chief Advisor Sharad Shelar, General Secretary Ashok Dubey, and Treasurer Gangeshwar Shrivastav.

"Sir, let us apprise you that there are lakhs of artists, workers, and technicians who are jobless for the past one and half years and that the only source of income for them is from the M&E Industry. This industry has been providing work to lakhs of hands and enabling their families to earn their daily bread. However, the lockdown of the Industry has impacted the lives of these daily wage workers who have absolutely no other source of income and are totally dependent on the work of the Industry".

"The announcement of the extension of the lockdown for another 15 days shall really be a setback for these deprived set of artists, workers and technicians and also the economy of the Industry. Not only the workers but the producers are also affected badly with huge investments already made into the running projects which have been to a standstill due to the unfortunate lockdown".



"We being the mother body of 32 different crafts of artists, workers, and technicians of the industry have been receiving numerous calls from our members regarding their difficult survival conditions and requesting us to start the work of the Industry", the letter read.

The FWICE assured the government that all the rules and regulations of the Government shall be followed by each and every crew member and all necessary precautions shall be taken at each work location.

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