Michal Wilczek has won the Sukuma Millennium Award for a 30-second commercial about differing labour conditions in India and Europe.

The short film aims at showing that effects of people’s work are the same around the world and so, regardless of a country, employees should earn equal amount of money.  

“I came up with an idea for the film while talking to my friend from China who I’m living with in Nowy Sacz. I recalled that during my visit to China I saw shoes being sold for one eighth of their price in Poland. So I thought it could be a good subject to cover in relation to fair trade,” says Wilczek.

The film consists of two images: the first one shows a day in the life of a worker from Europe and the second one about another a man who is approximately the same age and works in a shoe plant in India.

By showing differences between the two men’s lives the young Polish director tries to convince people that in times of globalisation fair trade can reduce social inequalities.

The opening night for the film is billed for 3 February 2011 in Berlin. The award will be handed to Wilczek by world-renowned musician, Moby and former German minister for economic cooperation and development Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul.

The Sukuma Millennium Award is an annual contest for the best fair trade and fair pay commercials. In the langiage of Swahili sukuma means “to rise, emerge”, “defend oneself” and “encourage”. (mg/jb)

Source: PAP