The Women’s Forum for Screen Workers (WFSW) has written to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, urging her to set up an independent committee to probe workplace harassment and gender-based violence in the state’s screen entertainment industry.

WFSW (Women’s Forum for Screen Workers), a group of women, sexual and gender minorities working as actors, technicians and crew members in film, television and web platforms, came together in response to the heinous rape and murder incident at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata.

In the letter, the Forum has called for investigating incidents of sexual harassment and abuse, including physical, sexual, verbal, psychological and digital forms, within the industry. They also stressed on reviewing compliance of the PoSH Act, 2013 in all production companies, studios and workplaces in the screen entertainment sector.

The forum also requested protection of minors working in the industry under the POCSO Act, 2012. They recommended structural reforms in line with the social security provisions for film and television industry workers mentioned in the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020.

The letter also urged for an investigation into the exploitative practices prevalent in the industry due to the absence of formal contracts, leading to job insecurity, pay disputes and severe exploitation. The forum highlighted the need for legal reforms based on international best practices, such as the ILO Convention No. 190 on Gender-Based Violence and Harassment.