Shocking! CINTAA ends association with FWICE alleging corruption

A huge war has erupted between FWICE and CINTAA with the latter alleging corruption

By Urmimala Banerjee
Published: December 29, 2016 9:30 AM IST

This is a piece of news that can have a huge impact on the rights of TV artists and technicians. As per a report in a leading publication, The Cine and TV Artists Association (CINTAA) had ended its association with the Federation of Western Indian Cine Employees (FWICE) citing unethical practices. It seems the decision was finalised on November 1 after FWICE failed to address questions raised by CINTAA. Actor Sushant Singh who hosts Savdhaan India is also the general secretary and spokesperson of CINTAA. He told The Times of India, "Our biggest issue was the unethical practices by Junior Artists Association (JAA) and Mahila Kalakar Sangh (MKS), under the garb of job-loss compensation and closed membership. They may claim to be making new members, but it's just on paper." Also Read - Bharat Jodo Yatra: Pooja Bhatt to Rashami Desai — Celebs who joined Rahul Gandhi in his mission

It seems Junior Artists Association and Mahila Kalakar Sangh have around 2,000 members in all (combined strength), which is way too short of producers' requirements for shows. And the bodies do not admit new members fearing that the old ones would lose their jobs. And when producers hire outsiders, the association demands compensation for loss of job and complain that existing members were not hired. Sushant said, "Isn't that unfair? Why can't they take in some new members instead? It has become an extortion racket. We decided to break away from the federation because they never objected to this practice, which in fact is the reason why a case has been filed against all its affiliates in Competition Commission of India." Also Read - Bigg Boss 16: 'Sajid Khan has served his punishment in MeToo case; has all the right to survive, earn his living', says FWICE

Sushant further told the publication, "Those producers who didn't want to pay job-loss compensation, sent us applications of junior artistes in bulk, thus doubling CINTAA's membership between 2010-15. But this put our reputation at stake as our members can't be employed as junior artistes." He adds, "It put us in a precarious position, but how do you compromise on principles?" His statements were contradicted by Dilip Pithva, the honorary general secretary of FWICE. He termed the allegations as baseless and said that the body had ended the practice of job-loss compensation. Pithva said that the CINTAA must substantiate their claims with adequate proof and cannot just point fingers at them. He said that CINTAA has implied that FWICE should end relations with JAA and MKS but that was not acceptable. He said, "We are here to fight for workers' rights and can't ignore their welfare." Also Read - Good Luck Jerry movie review: Janhvi Kapoor starrer tries hard to be a desi Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels but gets locked in its stocky screenplay

He further added, "We have always addressed CINTAA's grievances, but a solution can't be arrived at overnight. They didn't even wait for us to come up with a solution."

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ByUrmimala Banerjee
Published: December 29, 2016 9:30 AM IST