Want to ensure safety of cine workers: FWICE president

Newly-elected president of Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) B N Tiwari has said that his priority would be to have harmonious working relationhip with producers' body and ensuring safety of cine workers.
Tiwari, who has been president of Sound Engineers Association for 27 years unopposed, told PTI that majority of the 22 associations affiliated with FWICE supported him.
The election for the post was held on November 6 and the president is elected for a period of two years.
Tiwari said unity of members and resolving issues related to hygiene, security and timings of cine employees would be his priority.

He said certain producers like Vipul Shah and J D Majethia had taken FWICE to the Competition Commission of India (CCI) over disputes regarding wages and timings.
"We work to ensure a respectable working environment for our members. We are a no profit organisation," he said, adding that producers like Sajid Nadiadwala were in support of demands of cine employees.

Tiwari said cine workers are getting more work due to robust television industry but working hours are erratic and hygeine on the sets, especially for women are a cause of concern.
"If a member disagrees with the working environment, he may not get work. We can ensure artists get payment on time, but can't find work for our members," he said.

He said that various bodies like associations of sound engineers, camera, still photographers, gun suppliers, fight masters, musicians, music directors, singers, writers, directors, junior artists, women artists, editors, make-up and hair, dubbing artists, dance masters, and Cine and TV artists Association (Cinta) have given a letter to be separate from FWICE.
"...But we want them to stay with us," he added.