Television industry faces massive losses amidst coronavirus pandemic

The global coronavirus crisis has brought all television productions to a sudden halt in Bangladesh. Owing to concerns over the pandemic, the shootings of all television projects were officially shut down from March 22. As a result, a large number of workers, operating in front of and behind the camera have already lost, or are at risk of losing their jobs, either temporarily, or in the worst case, permanently. The owners of shooting houses are going through a difficult time, while millions of other jobs that are linked to the economic activity generated by the television sector, are also affected. 

"The television industry is facing an overall loss of more than BDT 1 crore, on a daily basis," said Shaju Muntasir, General Secretary, Television Programme Producers' Association. Although the official announcement came on March 22, Muntasir stated that the filming of some projects stopped from March 17. "Most of the cast and crew members were concerned about the pandemic and suggested that we stop the shooting," he added.  He also mentioned that the months of February and March are crucial for the television industry, as they prepare for some of the biggest festivals.

In a shooting unit, nearly 50 to 60 people are involved, both on and off the screen. According to Abdul Alim, General Secretary, Shooting House Owners' Association, a total of 24 shooting houses are situated in Uttara, Dhaka. "People run these shooting houses on rent. Overall, the monthly expenditures amount to BDT 1.5 lakhs to 2 lakhs," shared Alim. He further added that if the crisis hits harder, these businesses might be unable to survive. As a result, some of the tenants may step back from the shooting house business.

Shooting houses have all closed down across the country.

 The Television Programme Producers' Association, Writers' Association and Directors' Guild, along with the Actors' Equity Association, came up with an initiative to raise funds and support their low-wage earning coworkers. "The junior artistes, light men, production runners and assistant makeup artistes among others are in the most vulnerable positions," shared Muntasir. "They have no work at the moment. We are raising funds and requesting artistes who are willing and able to help out." Muntasir also shared that they have reached out to the Ministry of Information, who have requested for a list of people who are genuinely in need of financial support.

Moreover, Salahuddin Lavlu, President of the Directors' Guild, shared that they have already applied for a grant from the government. "We don't have any income if we don't shoot. Majority of our coworkers are daily wage earners," he said. "We have already informed other members of the Directors' Guild.  Those who can afford to support their colleagues are welcome to donate. At the same time, we are hoping that the government will support us." The fourteen associations of the television industry have sent a detailed application to the Ministry of Information, with proper accounts of the daily expenditures of their shootings. "Our yearly transaction is nearly BDT 600 crores. Subsequently, if we have to keep our work suspended for two to three months or more, we will be in trouble," added Lavlu. "This is also the peak season for our industry, the time when we see the highest revenue for the year, but there are more than five thousand people who have suddenly lost their jobs in this unprecedented situation."