A strike by film workers is currently underway in Tollywood. The Film Federation has issued orders not to allow workers to go to shootings until their wages are increased by 30 percent. The Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce makes a crucial statement on this issue.
In this context, the discussions held between the Chamber and the Federation failed, as the TFCC did not accept the proposals made by the Film Federation. All the producers opposed the Federation’s proposals, saying that they were already being paid too much.
The decisions taken in the meeting held at the Film Chamber today and the discussions held were reported to the media by Chamber Secretary and Producer Damodar Prasad.
Here are the points stated by the Film Chamber after the Film Federation’s strike call
“The Telugu film industry is already in a very difficult situation in the states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
At a time like this, at a time when discussions are on for an amicable solution under the guidance of the Commissioner of Labour, it is very sad that the Federation has defied the labor commissioner’s word and decided to go only to the shootings of producers who have increased their wages by 30% from today.
It is not acceptable for small producers that the unions are demanding a wage hike at a level that small producers of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh cannot afford, and that hike is not at a level they can afford.
Every small producer is against this hike. So all the producers unanimously opposed this hike, which cannot be afforded in the current circumstances.
The Labour Commissioner clarified that, as per the Minimum Wages Act, producers have the right to hire any worker who pays minimum wages. Additionally, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) has also issued an order upholding the autonomy of producers. Condemning the pressure of the federations and the methods of preventing competition, it prevented the implementation of such regulations.
In terms of cost of living, Hyderabad is less expensive than other metropolitan cities. Nevertheless, we are paying higher wages to all the unions. We are paying higher wages to the workers working in our Telangana and Andhra Pradesh states than what is paid in the film industry of other states.
In the wake of these circumstances, the Telugu Film Chamber unanimously passed a resolution. According to this, the producers are those who work for the wages that they can pay to the marginalized workers.
Whether they are in the union or not, they are ready to shoot with them. A lot of people.
Even though aspiring professionals and workers are ready to work in the industry, the unions are obstructing their entry by demanding lakhs of rupees for membership in the unions.
It is a beating of the stomachs of many skilled workers. Producers have complete freedom to work with workers based on the needs of each project and the capabilities of individuals.
It was unanimously agreed by all the producers to get any aspiring professionals and workers to work with them if they wanted to work in the film industry. There is no need to pay lakhs of rupees for membership. We aim to provide work to a skilled worker.
The Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce has worked in many sectors of the industry and consists of artists, technicians, and other stakeholders. The council will work towards a positive decision, working with all of them.
There is no film industry without a producer. The trade unions should once again realize that the well-being of the producer is the most important thing for the survival of our film industry.”
