#MeTooEffect: Emraan Hashmi will include sexual harassment clause in contracts
What's the story
Emraan Hashmi has recently decided to include a sexual harassment clause in his contract and those of his crew members, in the wake of #MeToo movement in Bollywood. Hashmi's understanding is that the contract will serve to safeguard women while it will dissuade men from crossing the line. Attempting to create a safe work environment is certainly a laudable step. Here are the details.
Contracts
Nothing without consent for Hashmi
Hashmi has a reputation of doing films with intimate scenes and passionate kisses with quite a few women. Thus, he might be more than eager to enforce some degree of safety and establish boundaries of consent, post #MeToo. Based on his experiences regarding agreements with various production houses and after conversing with his lawyers, he has reportedly decided in favor of the clause.
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Details of the clause in the contract
Although Hashmi admitted that he had not worked out the legalities and modalities, he asserted the incorporation of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition & Redressal) Act, 2013. He also mentioned other clauses in the contract would address confidentiality and termination.
Hashmi's opinion
Hashmi's take is refreshingly different
Hashmi recently entered the production business with 'Cheat India', a film about education scams. He collaborated with Bhushan Kumar, Tanuj Garg, and Atul Kasbekar. Naturally, #MeToo and the dissolution of Phantom Films, have made him concerned about his own company. Thus he deems the clause imperative, despite production houses not enforcing it earlier. Further, he asserts that the clauses should encompass men and women.
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Here is what Hashmi said about the clause
Hashmi said, "Such clauses are already in contracts in several industries... No film production company has enforced it so far, but with the #MeToo movement ...picking up steam... last year and inching towards India, with someone being outed almost every hour...clauses have become imperative".