KOCHI: The more things change, the more they remain the same! Despite year-long discussions on working conditions and the release of the ground-breaking Hema Committee report last August, the situation of women working behind the scenes in the Malayalam movie industry remains just about the same.
On January 29, three makeup artists, Rohini K S , Angel P and Elizabeth Seema, staged a hunger strike in front of the office of the All Kerala Cine Makeup and Hairstylist Union (AKCMHU) in Kochi. For a day and a half, the three protested against workplace exploitation and demanded equal job opportunities, basic needs and safety in the work environment.
AKCMHU and their umbrella union, the Film Employees Federation of Kerala (Fefka), met with protesting members on the second day and made promises that ended the strike. By this time, Angel was hospitalised, with her health condition weakening.
The demands they put up were simple, yet they had not been considered by unions until a public outcry following the hunger strike. The first was the abolishing of “slavery-like” conditions that exist within the industry.
“Our opportunities and wages are heavily subject to favouritism. We get into the union only through proper channels – that involve an interview and paying Rs 1 lakh (increased to Rs 2 lakh now) as fee. But the chief makeup men still have to sign our batta slips for us to receive payments, which is totally unfair,” said Rohini. “Even after paying such a huge sum, they only prefer people they like. This means obliging to all their demands and favours,” she told TNIE.
Another demand was for equal work opportunities. AKCMHU comprises 280 active members, including makeup artists and hairdressers, but many of those registered with the union have had to seek alternative employment opportunities to make ends meet. “Work should be based on a rotating system, so as to ensure everyone gets an opportunity to work,” said Elizabeth.
The protesters also alleged that the unions “protect perpetrators and punish victims.” And their allegations brought to light, yet again, the stories of exploitation and threats that women have had to face.
“I once had to experience a very demeaning incident in the workplace. When I raised it, members of the union, including women, approached me with open threats. They blamed me and called me insane. They even issued me a show-cause notice for speaking to the media about the harassment I faced,” said Rohini.
Angel had a similar story to share. “I was threatened by the union secretary for not showing up for some work outside cinema. He had asked me to do a bridal hair-do, but I sought to be excused as my child was sick. He threatened me, abusing his position,” she said.
Earlier this year, makeup artist Sivappriya Maneeshya had her membership revoked for allegedly raising her voice against injustices within the union. Rohini and several others also face show-cause notices for the same reason.
Following a meeting with makeup artists, the unions, including Fefka officials, agreed to look into the issues they raised. “We have already taken essential steps and are looking into the other demands they have put up,” said Pradeep Rankan, AKCMHU secretary.
“The batta slip rule has been changed and now they can receive their payments directly and all members facing legal action have been suspended from the union,” he added.
“The issue assumes importance as no woman in the industry in such a vulnerable situation has came up and talked in public about the harassment they face. It is what they are made to go through that makes them respond,” said Sajitha Madathil, WCC member.
“People in the industry are discrediting our cause. What WCC did was initiate them to resolve the problems by notifying the issues before the labour commission,” she said, in response to the Fefka president’s statement that WCC is conspiring and instigating artists against the union.