Nollywood filmmaker, Ernest Obi has lamented over the manner producers treat their personal assistants (PAs) and actors.
The veteran actor expressed sadness over the exploitative practices of movie makers at a candlelight parade organized at the National Stadium in Lagos in memory of his late colleague Junior Pope and the five other crew members who perished at the Anam River.
The candlelight procession’s leader, Ernest Obi, stressed the significance of safety during the filmmaking process.
He advised fellow actors to put their health first and take the required safety measures to prevent mishaps.
The seasoned actor bemoaned the way filmmakers mistreated the workers, especially the underpayment of personal helpers. He disclosed that some producers just provide their aides N10,000 for a fifteen-day shift.
In his words:
“Take a stand, say No Sir. If you’re a member of the Guild, make a call immediately. Except your guild or president or Chairman is nonfunctional. Tell him that they want you to enter a forest and there are snakes there as you cannot and the Guild should swing into action immediately and not after.
How much are PAs being paid? How can you employ someone to work for you for 10 or 15 days and you pay them N15k. That’s not just a sin but it’s a sin against God”.
