Standard Contract To End Overwork Culture In Entertainment Industry

By Norhidayyu Zainal & Atira Khalisha Nor Adnan

They are being labelled as demanding when they urge for the longstanding culture of overworking in the country's entertainment industry to be immediately stopped. However, for artistes, especially actors, singers, and backstage workers, they emphasise that it is their 'right' as workers.

This is the final part of the two-part series about the overtime work issue in the local entertainment industry.

KUALA  LUMPUR, March 31 (Bernama) -- Some described the request to set filming or performance schedules among artistes as well as stopping the culture of overworking as something demanding.

But they are like any other workers in other sectors, who have the right to rest and have proper working hours for work-life balance.

So it's not surprising that actor Shaheizy Sam, 41, who has been in the industry for more that three decades, will ensure to only collaborate with production companies that respect his request to work 12 hours a day.

For him, there's no such thing as being demanding because setting filming hours is crucial in considering their needs to prepare mentally, physically, and emotionally to successfully execute a film or drama.

"When I sign a contract, I always set a maximum working period of 12 hours a day. This isn't a demand but a necessity because everything won't run smoothly and well if the actor is tired.

"I see it as crucial that working hours for practitioners in the creative industry are capped at a maximum of 12 hours a day to ensure production companies plan filming more efficiently and eliminate the casual approach to tasks," said the producer.

With extensive experience as an actor and coming from a family of actors, he personally observes the absence of set working hours as a contributing factor to filming sessions extending to over 18 hours a day, and sometimes even more when some take their tasks lightly.

Their grievances were heard by the Ministry of Communications when its agency, National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (FINAS), through its CEO Datuk Azmir Saifuddin Mutalib, was quoted in early February as saying that a standard contract involving crew, actors, and producers containing detailed clauses on the issue of overtime work will be implemented this year in stages.

However, according to ‘My Ofis’ sitcom actress Nasz Sally, 38, this good news cannot be delayed any longer, especially considering that backstage workers, namely the production crew, are the ones most adversely affected when there is no set filming or performance schedule. 

"I feel more sympathy for the production crew because they are the ones who arrive early on set and leave late. Even when they go back, there's still work to be done, and when you think about it, they only get a few hours of sleep...they get payment based on the contract, and there's no additional compensation for overtime," said Nasz, whose real name is Nazurah Hanoom Hanafie.

Describing it as a win-win situation, behind-the-scenes worker Azeem Azarudin Abd Azizi said that for over two decades in the industry, most contracts have favoured employers and producers over the welfare of actors and crew.

"Some never issue any working contracts; instead, they rely on verbal promises, and trust, and therefore, implementing a standard contract is crucial to ensure a fairer environment for all stakeholders in the creative industry," he said.

Another crew member Bob Fitri said he believed that a standard contract can improve wages and benefits, especially for crew members whose rights are often overlooked.

Meanwhile, Azmir Saifuddin said that standard contract would be enforced alongside the introduction of the new Digital Content Grant enforcement module. 

“So far, we (FINAS) have met with 15 arts associations to explain the details of the standard contract and to receive feedback.

"Among them are the Malaysian Film Producers Association (PFM), Professional Film Workers Association (Profima), Film Directors Association (FDAM), Malaysian Television Producers Association (PTVM), and Artistes Association of Malaysia (Seniman)," he said, adding that meetings will also be held with television stations, streaming companies, and related agencies.

He emphasised that the discussions are important because they don't want anyone to view the standard contract as a burden; instead, it should be seen as a point of reference, especially regarding wage rates and working hours limits. 

-- BERNAMA