MACTA to launch stir against job denial

Director Vinayan, president of Malayalam Cine Technicians' Association (MACTA), said on Wednesday that their members�have decided to launch an agitation from July 10 against 'denial of employment' to its workers in the film industry. Addressing reporters in Palakkad, Vinayan said the agitation would be in cooperation with AITUC to which MACTA is affiliated.

"From July 10, MACTA members will strike work and those out of jobs will hold marches to film sets. If the activities in the industry come to a standstill with the agitation, only producers and superstars will be responsible for the situation," he said.

He alleged that the existing problems in Malayalam film industry were caused by a 'caucus' of superstars and producers who did not want a trade union in the industry. Trade unions had become necessary to protect MACTA members, who were being kept away from the field by big producers at the behest of superstars, he alleged.

He said the film industry had shown ingratitude to the late Lohithadas, whose scripts had turned many�small actors into superstars. "These very stars were not giving dates to Lohithadas for the last ten years. Lohithadas is a martyr of ingratitude in the film field," Vinayan said.