Time Tollywood implements labour laws, says panel report

Hyderabad: The sub-committee report on sexual harassment and gender discrimination in the Telugu film industry has strongly recommended that Tollywood adhere to important legislations and be under the monitoring of the labour department.
The sub-committee also sought the govt to notify rules under the Cine Workers and Cinema Theatres Workers (Regulation of Employment) Act 1981 and specified various provisions under the 17 existing legislations under which the conditions in the industry could be improved.

Producers need to register films with labour dept: Report
The sub-committee report, which was filed in 2022 but is yet to be made public, clearly said moviemakers’ and related businesses’ offices should be registered under the Shops and Establishments Act. The sub-committee strongly suggested that producers were required to register their films along with a provisional list of personnel at all levels with the labour department.
It said wage agreements should be established at the level of assistant commissioner of labour while payments to individual cinema workers will be made directly rather than through unions or coordinators. Compensation will be disbursed exclusively via online transfers or cheques to each individual audio-visual worker. Facilities at worksites such as mobile toilets and changing rooms should be provided, the report said.
Working hours would be governed by current or future wage agreements between the film federation and Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce (TFCC) while addressing aspects such as scheduling, overtime and compensation for cancelled shootings.
Govt should develop welfare programmes under the Act
Prior consent from the district magistrate or joint commissioner of labour is necessary for the employment of child artistes, ensuring that their schooling and education remain unaffected. The govt should develop welfare programmes under the Unorganised Workers Act and all 24 crafts unions representing cine audio-visual workers will be registered with the Telangana Social Security Board for unorganised workers, the sub-committee said.
Conclusion of each film should highlight the internal complaints committee’s and the helpline’s phone numbers, it said. It also suggested that short films/videos be produced about the nature of sexual harassment in the film industry to bring about awareness among all cinema workers.