The daily-wage workers, who had returned to Mumbai after the entertainment industry resumed work last October, have taken a beating again as the state government suspended filming till May 1. As they face economic strain while the COVID-19 cloud looms large, leading cine bodies have sprung into action to alleviate their troubles. The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) is ensuring that the concerned production house bears the treatment expense for every daily-wager who has contracted the virus during the shoot of its project. 

Sharing the details, BN Tiwari, president, FWICE, says, “A death cover of Rs 25 lakh due to COVID-19 and hospitalisation cover of Rs 2 lakh have been provided. Recently, one of our members [who was working on a television show] met with an accident on his way back home, post 18 hours of the shoot, and lost his life. We ensured his family was given the Rs 25 lakh compensation, even though he didn’t die on the sets or due to the virus. He was an assistant art designer; we have offered the same position to his wife if she wishes to take it up. As far as the members who are not working are concerned, they can contact us if they [come down with the infection]. We’ll do everything we can, in our personal capacity.”