14m; Germany
Director: Moritz Siebert
Synopsis: This short documentary shows the dire labour conditions of migrant workers in the Malaysian electronics industry. Men and women from Nepal, Indonesia and other countries come as contract workers to work for Dell, HP, Intell and other well known brand companies. Migrant workers pay several thousands of dollars in commission to labour agents to get work permits. Workers often engage in heavy debts to obtain such permits which may grant them a stay in Malaysia for five year maximum. Time to pay off these debts is limited, while pay is low. Migrant workers face discrimination in Malaysian society as well as on the work floor, and have to accept bad housing conditions. The work load is heavy, and when worker fail to meet set targets, they risk immediate dismissal. When workers get pregnant or fall ill, they are sent back home at their own expenses. The documentary has been produced by Moritz Siebert in cooperation with World Economy, Ecology, development (WEED), for the European Procure IT Fair campaign.
Contact: http://www.vimeo.com/18617196
75m; U.S.
As part of this celebration the WSLC has launched a You Tube film competition (3- to 5-minute films) under the theme of “work” or “we do the work.” The three best short films from around Washington State will be shown at the SIFF Theater as part of the 2012 Northwest Folklife Festival in Seattle over Memorial Day Weekend (May 25-28). In addition, the top three filmmakers will receive prizes $250, $150 and $100, respectively.
THE LABOR FILM DATABASE 