In response to a total strike by the Telugu Film Industry Employees' Federation demanding an immediate 30% wage hike, the Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce (TFCC) has passed a resolution to hire non-union workers. This decision comes after the federation halted film shoots across Telangana and Andhra Pradesh to push for a revised pay structure on Monday.
According to KL Damodar Prasad, Honorary Secretary of the TFCC, the demanded wage increase is "far beyond what small producers can afford." He stated that most small producers have opposed the demand, calling it "simply unsustainable."
Prasad highlighted that the cost of living in Hyderabad is lower than in other major Indian cities, yet Telugu film workers are already paid higher wages than those in other regional film industries. The TFCC's resolution empowers producers to "hire skilled technicians and workers at mutually agreed-upon wages, regardless of their union affiliation".
Prasad also claimed that union membership fees, which can run into lakhs of rupees, are creating avoidable barriers for talented and enthusiastic newcomers, effectively blocking them from entering the industry. He emphasized that every producer should have the freedom to hire workers based on project requirements and individual capabilities.
