Workers' union leader expelled for disrupting film shoots and alleged criminal intimidation

Gangeshwar Shrivastav, Federation of Western India Cine Employees, FWICE, workersu00c3u00a2u00c2u0080u00c2u0099 union leader expelled, disrupting film shoots, alleged criminal intimidation, Mumbai, Bollywood

The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) expelled six members of the Film Studio Setting and Allied Mazdoor Union, including its general secretary Gangeshwar Shrivastav, allegedly for disrupting shoots and indulging in criminal behaviour.

Gangeshwar Shrivastav

The decision was taken after Shrivastav prevented workers from reporting to the ND Studio at Karjat alleging that they were not given food allowance. Claiming to have filed a complaint with the trade union office, he says, "They are trying to get me out of their way as I am fighting for workers' rights. They want to de-affiliate the union. I will speak to producers and ensure that they are not troubled and my members get work."

FWICE president Kamlesh Pandey says the list of offences against Shrivastav and Co. runs long. "They had practically unleashed a reign of terror on the entire film industry due to which shooting and setting activities were being moved out of Mumbai by the producers. The general council of the FWICE unanimously resolved to expel him and five of his agents and dissolution of his entire committee. An 11-member ad hoc committee has been appointed to oversee the activities of the union and fresh elections will be held by January 31 next year," he adds.

Producer JD Majithia states that the FWICE had expelled Shrivastav in the past. "We have been informed that a new committee will make sure that no shoot is stopped and Shrivastav is not allowed to interrupt our work," he states.