Bollywood’s Daily Wage workers can finally Relax; Relief Fund functional from today!

The Producers Guild of India has set up a relief fund for daily wage workers who will be hit by the complete shutdown of all film, television, and web series industry. The coronavirus pandemic has forced a dramatic closure of the industry as a precautionary measure as the shoots from March 19 to 31 have been called-off. 

Its been 24 hours since the Guild conducted a meeting and the body has already knocked their plan into action which will somehow lend financial assistance to the daily wage workers who are among those affected by the suspension of shoots.

In an interaction with Mid-day, Kulmeet Makkar, CEO of the association, revealed that a relief fund will be set up by today.

It's too early to say who will donate, but anyone is free to do so. We opened a bank account on Wednesday morning; by Thursday evening, it will be functional for people to send in their contributions directly. [To determine the parties that are in need of financial aid], we are evaluating each production that was on floors, making a list of the people employed for the respective productions, and finally, determining the number of days for which they will lose out on their payment.

- Kulmeet Makkar, CEO of The Producers Guild of India

The report from Mid-day also mentioned that the meeting took place over a conference call with several filmmakers participating in it. They also advised the plan to identify the affected parties and the necessary disbursement process. 

Makkar also spoke about how the shoot of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Gangubai Kathiawadi was called off from Film City on Tuesday and the huge impact it might have had on the workers. 

Hypothetically, let's say Bhansali had a 60-day schedule, and the unit could work for only 15 days [before the shutdown]. So, they will be compensated for the remaining 45 days of work because we don't want people to feel the loss of livelihood. [Even though the shutdown is till March 31], we are preparing for an eventuality that could last anywhere between 15 to 60 days.

- Kulmeet Makkar, The Producers Guild of India

He further added that the current focus is to maintain a transparent system of distribution of funds. "We will also form a committee comprising producers from television, OTT, and films who will monitor the process and ensure the money is reaching the right people."

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a huge impact worldwide and may below the line workers across the globe have been affected by the virus leading to a complete shut-down. Several events have been canceled amid the dangerous outbreak.