FEFSI stir enters fourth day, film shoots hit

Shooting of several films, including Rajinikanth starrer ‘Kaala’ was hit as the strike by the members of the Film Employees Federation of South India (FEFSI) entered the fourth day on Monday following a wage row with the Tamil Nadu Film Producers Council (TFPC).

For the second time, State Labour Welfare department was expected to hold a tripartite meeting with the FEFSI and TFPC on Tuesday to arrive at an amicable solution.

The Joint Commissioner of Labour Department has sent a letter to FEFSI and TFPC to send their representatives to participate in the talks. FEFSI, which is a federation of 24 film craft unions, went on the strike to condemn fresh professionals.

FEFSI President R K Selvamani said, “The reason why the Tamil film industry is so highly rated in India is because of the talented technicians of the FEFSI.” “We, in the FEFSI, have given up several benefits for the sake of the well-being of the Tamil film industry.

We have also stood by the Producers’ Council whenever they have had to face problems,” he added.

“However, we fear that the recent actions and decisions of the TFPC are aimed at destroying the FEFSI. The TFPC has issued an advertisement calling for recruitment of fresh technicians (who will be competitors to FEFSI),” he added.