Theatres reopened but workers continue to suffer due to low footfalls

Cinema halls and multiplexes have reopened after eight months but business is slow due to a number of factors like lack of new Hindi film releases and fear among the people regarding sitting in an enclosed areas with others amid the ongoing Covid19 pandemic As a result the low paying workers associated with cinema halls and multiplexes have been directly hitFor some there has been a pay cut since the lockdown happened Many others have just lost their jobs and are waiting for new opportunities Many of these workers are migrants in the big city and the sole bread winners of their familiesHimanshu Kumar from Bihars Saran who has been working at a multiplex in Bengaluru as an electrician for two years had his payment reduced to 40 per cent during the lockdown and is still not getting his dueTalking about the same Himanshu told IANS Although the multiplex was shut during lockdown the CCTV cameras and fire extinguishers were on I had to go and check these once in every 10 days During lockdown I was getting 40 per cent of my total pay which has slightly increased in November but I am still not getting my full paymentThe migrant worker further informed that he is looking for a job with better pay options because he has to take care of his mother elder brother and sisterinlaw back in his hometown I will continue for two to three months more and then look for better payment options Himanshu informedArijit Shil used to work as a security guard at a multiplex in Madhyamgram in the outskirts of Kolkata but he lost his job after theatres shut downI have worked as a security guard in the multiplex for over a year When lockdown began the theatre was shut so we were out of work for four months When the theatre reopened after lockdown they retained only around six people who have been associated with the multiplex from the beginning I have been told that my services will be required only when the theatre starts getting footfalls he saidArijits wife a homemaker has taken up a job to support her husband because he is no longer getting the monthly paycheque of Rs 10000 that he used to earn from his job as a security guardHe added I sat at home for the four months of lockdown Then I worked at the packaging department of a herbal products company for two months on a contractual basis Now I am again looking for work I called up my agency today asking them for work as I desperately need money Meanwhile my wife who was a homemaker has started working at a garments manufacturing unit to help run our householdArijit and Himanshu represent the countless number of workers from different parts of the country associated with cinema halls and multiplexes who have a similar story to tell While cinema hall and multiplex owners wait for the audience to turn up workers at these properties are busy figuring out how to earn their bread The coronavirus pandemic has affected them too but in a different wayKeep scrolling to read more newsCatch up on all the latest Crime National International and Hatke news here Also download the new midday Android and iOS apps to get latest updates MidDay is now on Telegram Click here to join our channel middayinfomedialtd and stay updated with the latest newsThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever