A new organisation, Entertainment Media Photographers Bangladesh (EMPB), has emerged to strengthen the professional standing of photographers working in Bangladesh’s television and media industries.
The organisation aims to safeguard photographers’ professional dignity, ensure fair remuneration and employment rights, and promote solidarity among those regularly working in the country’s drama and media sectors.
The newly formed executive committee has appointed Apurba Abhi as president, Mazharul Islam Tahsin as general secretary, Akib Rahman as vice-president and A S Akash Raj as joint general secretary. Other committee members include Ahmed Sakib, EN Naim, Hridoy Ahmed, Naim Chowdhury, Aryan Ahmed Ashik and Akash Malakar, among others.
Explaining the organisation’s initiatives, joint general secretary A S Akash Raj said EMPB had introduced a minimum daily payment structure to protect members from unfair remuneration and safeguard their professional interests.
The organisation has also established guidelines covering priority in first-call bookings, recruitment of photographers from its membership for multi-day shoots and a maximum eight-hour working day.
“Anyone who violates the organisation’s rules, accepts assignments below the prescribed minimum rate, disregards first-call privileges or engages in activities that undermine organisational discipline may face disciplinary action. Depending on the nature of the violation, measures could include warnings, financial penalties, suspension of membership or expulsion,” Akash Raj said.
He stressed that EMPB did not intend to create rivalry or conflict with anyone. Instead, its primary objective was to establish fair working conditions and secure professional recognition and respect for photographers.
“Our aim is to protect photographers’ rightful interests, dignity and professional standing. We want to move forward together and uphold the respect our profession deserves. That is what we are working towards,” he added.
