Light men's strike in Tamil Nadu fails

Chennai, Aug 15 (IANS) The Film Employees' Federation of South India (FEFSI), the apex body of the Tamil film industry, broke a state-wide strike by the light men's union by bringing in workers from neighbouring states, industry sources said Friday.

With the cooperation of Tamil Film Producers' Council (TFPC) and backed by the state government, FEFSI brought workers from neighbouring states and ensured uninterrupted shootings for movies and television productions.

'We cannot allow the Rs.12 billion industry to be blackmailed by a few embittered workers making unreasonable demands,' a FEFSI source told IANS.

FEFSI president Vijayan had clearly indicated Wednesday that his body would oppose the strike openly.

After a few hours' lull, shooting resumed Thursday and continued Friday resulting in the light men's union indicating that it was prepared to call off the strike, provided FEFSI and TFPC agreed to consider its demands within a reasonable time-frame.

'When black legs are brought in by the hundreds with government protection, poor people like us have to buckle under the pressure. Our leaders will formally announce the withdrawal later tonight,' a striking union member not wishing to be identified said.