During a candlelight parade at the National Stadium in Lagos, organized in memory of his late colleague Junior Pope and five other crew members who died in the Anam River, Ernest Obi raised concerns about the exploitation of workers in the film industry.
As the leader of the procession, Obi emphasized the importance of safety on set and urged fellow actors to prioritize their well-being by taking necessary precautions.
The experienced actor criticized the industry’s mistreatment of workers, highlighting the inadequate compensation for personal assistants. He revealed that some producers pay their aides as little as N10,000 for a 15-day job.
Obi stated, “Take a stand, say ‘No Sir.’ If you’re a member of the Guild, contact them immediately. If your guild or chairman is functional, they should act swiftly. If you’re asked to enter a forest with snakes, you should refuse, and the Guild must intervene.”
He expressed his dismay at the low wages for PAs, saying, “How can you hire someone for 10 or 15 days and pay them only N15,000? That’s not just a sin; it’s a sin against God.”
