A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A TECHNICIAN/WORKER ENGAGED IN CINEMA AND TELEVISION INDUSTRY, BOLLYWOOD DEGLAMORIZED —Opender Chanana

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A TECHNICIAN/WORKER ENGAGED IN CINEMA AND TELEVISION INDUSTRY, BOLLYWOOD DEGLAMORIZED —Opender Chanana

It will be interesting and revealing to pen a brief summary of A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A TECHNICIAN/WORKER. They have been kept outside the ambit of any pro labor legislation passed by successive Central and State Governments since independence.  The three vital issues concerning the health and qualitative growth of our entertainment industry hinges on Safety, Security and Shelter.

(Above Pic if of a technician -donning many hats. A cracker explodes and results in serious injury to his hand  who was not supposed to do the job on the sets.  Became immobile and required several surgeries.)

1. Slogs for more than fifteen hours on the sets since daily soaps have become the norm and deadlines have to be strictly adhered to and minimum number of episodes canned n stored in the bank.
2. Spends anywhere between 2-3 hours in commuting from sets to home and back.
3. Hits the bed on reaching home. No time to interact with family.
4. Complies with excessive workload demands or conflicting expectations on behalf of Producers/Channels.
5. Has no access to recreational facilities.
6. On certain days works at a stretch for twenty to twenty five days without a break or a holiday.
7. No social life.
8. Works in an environment that poses a grave threat to his or her health and safety.
9. Due to conflicting and uncertain job expectations, too much responsibility, and too many hats to wear is caught in difficult, seemingly no-win and ultimately stressful situations during the course of his or her work day.
10. Cannot demand wages for the fear of losing his/her job. There are too many waiting in the queue to step into his or her shoes.
11. And last but not the least has no access to any funding/aid for health, insurance, housing and training for up gradation of technical skills.

(In the pic is a upset technician in a pensive mood)

It is only when the status of an industry is granted that thousands of technicians and workers whose contribution to the exponential growth cannot be undermined can lead a productive, healthy and stress free life like their counterparts in the organized sector.

(Workers/technicians take food in an un-cozy environment )

I wish the delegation that will be meeting Prime Minister Of India,  will voice the concerns, aspirations and hopes of this workforce other than sharing their concerns about taxation and other allied problems faced by Producers.  Ideally speaking a delegation of technicians and workers should make a representation to the Prime Minister so that for them too the slogan ‘ACHCHE DIN AANE WALE HEI’ is applicable…..

OPENDER CHANANA

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