INTUC-affiliated supporting artistes union demands fair wages

The Kerala Film Supporting Artistes Union affiliated to the Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC) has urged the government to ensure proper wages for its members and initiate steps to prevent workplace exploitation.

The State committee of the union has requested the producers to implement the eight-hour working rule and provide overtime pay for the additional hours. With the revised State Budget granting industry status to Malayalam cinema, we are hopeful that our rights would be protected, said Rasiya Saji, president of the union, on Wednesday (July 1, 2026).

She said that the supporting artistes often face delay in getting their payments despite completing their assignment. Some of the co-ordinators, who act as the link between us and the producers, fail to ensure that our payments are released on time, she alleged. We have also urged the authorities to ensure that supporting artistes are provided with proper accommodation and washroom facilities on various film locations, she added.

Ms. Saji said that the union, with a membership of over 1,000 supporting artistes across various districts, has plans to expand its activities in the coming days, she said. K.K. Ibrahimkutty, national secretary of INTUC, hoped that the government will intervene to address the issues being faced by the supporting artistes. He urged the producers to initiate steps to increase the wages given to them.