Resolve wage dispute through talks: Cinematography Minister Venkat Reddy to striking Telugu film workers

Hyderabad: Seemingly waking up to the financial losses, Telangana Cinematography Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy has urged Telugu film workers and producers to resolve the wage dispute through constructive talks instead of resorting to strikes that disrupt film shootings.

Minister condemns strike, suggests Joint Committee

Addressing representatives of the Telugu Film Industry Employees Federation, the Minister expressed disapproval of the decision to halt film productions.

He emphasized that strikes are not the right approach and encouraged both parties to engage in dialogue.

Venkat Reddy proposed the formation of a joint committee comprising members from the Federation and producers to find a workable solution.

Talks scheduled, flexible approach needed

The Minister has called for talks between the two sides on Tuesday and appealed to them to adopt a flexible and cooperative attitude. He assured that the state government is closely monitoring the situation and is ready to support efforts aimed at resolving the conflict amicably.

Film workers demand equal wage hike for all unions

The Federation, representing workers from 24 unions, has been on strike seeking wage revision. They rejected the producers’ proposal to hike wages for only 13 unions, viewing it as a move to divide them.

Federation leaders insisted that all 10,000 daily wage workers, including those earning Rs 1,500 and Rs 2,500 per day, must receive equal pay increases. They are willing to reconsider their original demand for a 30% wage hike, but partial hikes remain unacceptable.

Producers express concern, seek Government support

Film producers Dil Raju, Supriya, Gemini Kiran, and Damodar Prasad met the Minister to highlight the crisis affecting the film industry. They explained that the Producers’ Guild had offered wage hikes only for workers at the Rs 1,500 per day level, excluding higher-paid workers.

Parallel talks in Andhra Pradesh

In Andhra Pradesh, Tollywood producers also submitted a memorandum to Cinematography Minister Kandula Durgesh and requested meetings with Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan to discuss industry issues.

Minister Durgesh urged both producers and workers to engage in talks and promised to escalate the matter to the state leadership.