The All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA), a trade union body, has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, requesting a meeting to highlight the injustice with ‘workers, technicians, junior artists, and artists’ of Bollywood industry.

In the letter, that was sent on January 11, AICWA President Suresh Shyamlal Gupta pointed out the major concerns of workers, including poor pay, extreme long working hours, and lack of safety on the sets.
The letter read, “These individuals form the foundation of India’s entertainment industry, which contributes significantly to the country’s economy and cultural influence. However, despite their contributions, they are subjected to exploitation, poor working conditions, and lack of social and economic protections. We seek your intervention to address these challenges and purpose structural reforms that would only improve the lives of these workers but also strengthen the industry itself”.
The letter underlined that workers are made to work “16-20 hours a day without holidays, proper breaks and rest” and are forced to work several days continuously, affecting their physical and mental health.
About AICWA
AICWA (All Indian Cine Workers Association) was established in 2016, is a trade union body comprising daily wage earners, actors, stunt persons, and choreographers, among others. It has over 1 lakh members across India.
The organization also pointed out on inadequate basic facilities available on sets, including fire safety and security arrangements, that led to accidents and fatalities and also food the provided is low-quality, leading to health issues.
The letter also pointed out the facilities provided to female workers and artists, like lack of changing rooms, especially, during outdoor shoots that force them to change in vehicles or nearby unsafe areas, comprising their dignity and safety.
As per ACIWA, workers are employed without formal contracts, leaving them vulnerable to arbitrary dismissals. It stated, “They lack any legal resource in case of disputes, leading to exploitation. This lack of job security fosters a climate of fear and instability among workers”.
It said, the salaries of workers are often delayed by months or even years, forcing them into debt and financial distress. “Some workers never receive their wages, despite repeated follow ups and efforts. The absence of a structured payment mechanism exacerbates their financial woes. No significant increase in wages in the past two decades”.
AICWA added, “Post-COVID, wages have been slashed further, with many workers earning half their previous income, making it impossible to meet basic living expenses. Since the film industry is classified as an unorganized-sector, workers do not enjoy regular employment or benefits”.
The letter continued, “Many workers get only 2 to 10 days of work per month, leaving them unable to sustain their families. This instability prevents workers from securing housing or providing education to their children. there is no provision for medical coverage for workers, leaving them vulnerable in medical emergencies. in case of a worker in an on-set accident, no compensation is paid to their family. In many cases, “producers, channels and production houses” suppress such incidents”.
AICWA called for remedial steps, to improve the lives of daily workers, that include classifying the film industry as an “organised sector” and introduction of legal mandates for “contracts, provident funds, medical aid and gratuity”.
It added that government should bring some regulations for timely payment of wages and regularly revise wage structures to keep up with inflation and living costs.
The letter concluded, “We humbly request an appointment with you to discuss these pressing issues in detail. Your leadership and support are crucial to ensuring the dignity, safety, and rights of Bollywood and Indian film industry workers. With your intervention, we believe these challenges can be addressed effectively to uplift the workers and strengthen the industry”.
Read Also: Gujarat: Former MLAs, Mayors Pitch For Surat Unit BJP President Post