Tamil industry told to be fair to the fair sex

Chennai, Sep 6 (IANS): Acting on a complaint of discrimination in the Tamil film industry by a woman makeup artist, the National Commission for Women (NCW) has directed film unions to stop their gender bias.

After spunky makeup artist Banu Bhashyam went to the media two months ago complaining that she was prevented from getting work as she was a woman, the NCW ordered film unions to give a written undertaking that they would not discriminate.

The makeup artistes' union had reportedly told film directors and producers not to give work to US-trained Bhashyam because she was a woman.

The union maintained she could pose a threat to male makeup artistes.

Other women makeup artists joined in with similar complaints. At least seven women filed petitions with the NCW, pleading discrimination by the film industry.

Several well-known actresses then went on record saying they would insist on only employing women as makeup artists.

"We decided, therefore, to conduct a gender bias investigation across the film industry in this state," Nirmala Sitharaman, commission member said.

A five-member team met all the industry unions including the film actors' union and directors' union.

The commission also received complaints from women workers that the unions have subjected them to intimidation, including physical threats.

"We concluded there has been bias against women in certain sectors of the film industry. It varies from one sector to another, however," Nirmala said.

Under intense pressure from all quarters, the unions have at last given an undertaking that that they will let women become members. Whether they will keep the word remains to be seen.

"Non-compliance will draw action in keeping with labor laws," said Vasanthi Devi, chairperson of the commission.