MWASA says that the mass dismissal of the actors on the SABC's most watched TV show which it calls an "irrational decision" is creating "collateral damage on both sides" and will be extremely negative for the millions of viewers watching the primetime SABC1 soap in South Africa and in other countries.
MWASA says South Africa's creative workers "generate billions of rand for a super-exploitative industry that spits everybody out as soon as the spotlight dims".
"This history of our exploitative creative sector is littered with casualties and victims of the slave-and-master contract system that creates selfish millionaires on one hand and paupers and beggars on the other".
"It seems the preferred approach of the current leadership of the SABC and MMSV Productions is that getting rid of workers amounts to a sustainable solution to the endemic problems regarding contractual relations between the SABC, production companies and workers," says MWASA.
"It is obscene abuse of corporate power and managerial privilege. Contracts must remain negotiable within reason and in pursuit of the common good".
MWASA says "we fully support the struggle for improved working conditions, for competitive remuneration, for the consideration of fair compensation regarding royalties, rebroadcasts, sales and syndication".
"The actors, the SABC and MMSV Productions should urgently consider setting aside the Generations actors' dismissal and work on returning to the negotiating table. A fascilitated process would yield better results".
