MUMBAI: In a move that could give film technicians in Kerala a better deal in the years to come, the Malayalam Cinema Technicians‘ Association (MACTA) Federation, a confederation of 11 trade unions working in the film industry in Kerala which was recently affiliated to the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) has threatened to go on an indefinite strike from 16 May in protest against denial of labour rights to their members by Malayalam filmmakers.Repeated attempts at the initiative of the Labour Department to settle the pending labour issues, including wage hike, failed to attain fruition due to the arrogance of the Film Producers‘ Association and the Kerala Film Chamber said MACTA president Vinayan and AITUC State general secretary Kanam Rajendran.
Vinayan said that the MACTA, which has the support of 99 per cent of the workers, was fighting against the arrogant stance of the producers and the Film Employees‘ Federation of Kerala (FEFKA).
It is said that the Federation decided to go on a strike after the talks that was to be held in the presence of the Labour Commissioner did not materialise due to the non-cooperation of the association and the chamber.
The Federation would serve strike notice to the producers‘ association and the film chamber soon and organize a convention in Ernakulam on May 9 to protect cinema workers‘ rights and create public awareness about the strike.
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