Cinema workers protest bulldozing of cinema halls

Lucknow, June 23 (UNI) A Cinema Workers Confederation here today protested the conversion of cinema halls into commercial complexes and expulsion of workers against a Court's restraining order on the process in Uttar Pradesh.

''Despite the stay, the cinema owners are busy bulldozing their halls and getting commercial complexes constructed,'' confederation president Rakesh Mani Pandey said here.

Cinema workers were also not getting upgraded salary and 16 public holidays as declared by the state government, Mr Pandey complained.

The workers were being exploited and asked to work for 10 to 14 hours, but not paid any additional amount for their services, he alleged.

''Therefore, I urge the state government to strictly check the demolition of cinema halls and create a welfare fund for the prosperity of workers from entertainment tax,'' the confederation leader demanded.

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