Telugu Film Chamber Rejects Federation's Wage Hike Demand, Allows Hiring of Non-Union Workers

The Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce (TFCC) has rejected the Telugu Film Industry Employees' Federation's demand for a 30% wage hike, citing that the hike is unaffordable for small producers. The Chamber has allowed producers to hire workers outside of the union. The Federation had called for a strike, but the Chamber urged producers to continue shooting and offered to work with the Labour Commissioner to find a solution.

The Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce (TFCC) has rejected the Telugu Film Industry Employees' Federation's demand for a 30% wage hike, citing that the hike is unaffordable for small producers. The Chamber has allowed producers to hire workers outside of the union, urging them to continue shooting and offering to work with the Labour Commissioner to find a solution.

The Telugu Film Industry Employees' Federation had called for a strike, demanding that producers agree to a 30% wage hike for their members. The Federation's demand was met with resistance from the TFCC, which stated that the hike is not sustainable for small and independent producers across Telangana and Andhra Pradesh [1].

The TFCC cited the Competition Commission of India (CCI) order that restrains federations from imposing anti-competitive practices, stating that producers have the right to employ workers as long as they are paid minimum wages [3]. The Chamber also pointed out that workers and technicians in Telugu-speaking states are already paid more than their counterparts in other metro-based film industries [1].

The TFCC's response has led to a halt in shooting across Telugu cinema due to the Federation's strike. However, the Chamber has urged producers to continue shooting and follow its guidance. The Chamber has committed to working with the Labour Commissioner to secure a sustainable resolution [2].

The TFCC's decision to allow producers to hire non-union workers has sparked debate within the industry. While some producers support the Chamber's stance, others have expressed concern about the potential impact on worker welfare. The situation remains fluid, and the long-term effects of the TFCC's decision on the Telugu film industry are yet to be determined.

References:
[1] https://newsmeter.in/entertainment/telugu-film-chamber-rejects-federations-wage-hike-move-defends-producers-hiring-rights-752911
[2] https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/telugu-cinema/telugu-film-web-series-shootings-halted-due-to-workers-strike-and-demands-of-30-hike-producers-respond-101754286138243.html
[3] https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/telugu-film-chamber-of-commerce-tfcc-turns-down-federations-30-wage-hike-demand/article69895985.ece