Amid the rising cases of Covid-19, production house Yash Raj Films has decided to vaccinate 30,000 members of the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE).
The production house said that they have requested Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray to allow them to purchase COVID-19 vaccines for the registered workers.
The FWICE has a total of 2.5 lakh registered workers.
Akshaye Widhani, Senior Vice President, YRF, said the production banner, through The Yash Chopra Foundation, has offered their support to daily wage workers.
“With the film industry going through an unprecedented time there is an urgent need to restart at the earliest so that thousands of workers can start earning their livelihood again and protect their families,” the letter read.
“The Yash Chopra Foundation will bear all other costs too associated with vaccinating the workers such as raising awareness, transportation of workers and setting up of all the required infrastructure for the immunisation program,” it further said.
B N Tiwari, President of the FWICE said that they were grateful for the help during the second wave of Covid-19.
“It is a good initiative that they have taken for our workers, who are working now following all the protocols because they need to earn bread and butter. With the vaccine it will be safe for them to continue working without any fear,” Tiwari told PTI, adding the workers are in dire need of financial help too as not all of them are getting the opportunity to work.
The FWICE has also appealed to Thackeray to provide vaccines for the artistes, workers and technicians of the film industry.
“We request you to kindly please consider the request of Yash Raj Films and provide vaccines for around 30,000 workers. FWICE shall also extend all its support and cooperation to make this vaccination drive a success.
“Once the vaccination is done, our members can resume their respective work and the industry may continue to function without any fear,” FWICE said in a letter to the CM.
