The Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce (TFCC) has announced that all producers have unanimously opposed the proposed 30% wage hike for film workers. In a statement released on Monday, TFCC expressed concerns over the Federation’s decision to allow workers to participate in shoots only for producers who agree to the hike.
The Chamber stated that the Telugu film industry is currently facing severe financial challenges and that the Federation’s move, despite ongoing discussions under the Labor Commissioner’s guidance, undermines fair negotiations. TFCC highlighted that small producers cannot afford the hike and cited the Competition Commission of India’s directive supporting producers’ autonomy in hiring workers.
TFCC also noted that Hyderabad’s cost of living is lower than other metropolitan cities while Telugu film unions already receive higher wages than other Indian film industries. The Chamber resolved that producers can hire skilled workers even if they are not union members, criticizing union membership fees of up to ₹1 lakh for creating barriers to entry. The statement reaffirmed TFCC’s commitment to ensuring opportunities for skilled workers and protecting producers’ welfare, which it described as vital for the survival of the film industry.
