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New Indian Express
5 days ago
- New Indian Express
40 people freed from bonded labour in Andhra Pradesh
ONGOLE: In a significant rescue operation, Prakasam district authorities, alongside police and NGO representatives, freed 40 individuals from bonded labour at two shrimp farms near Ananthavaram village of Tanguturu mandal. The rescued group comprised 17 individuals from Odisha and 23 from Chhattisgarh, including 11 women and a minor. The operation, conducted over the weekend, targeted Golden Aqua Farm and Ram Brothers Aqua Farm, with raids in Tanguturu, Pakaala, and Pasukuduru areas. Cases have been filed against the farm managements under the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, and Minimum Wages Act. Prakasam Collector Thameem Ansariya issued relief certificates to the labourers and ensured their safe return to their native states, coordinating with officials from Odisha and Chhattisgarh. The rescued workers were initially moved to a relief centre in Ongole after their statements were recorded at the Tanguturu PS. The labourers, trafficked from vulnerable tribal and rural communities in Koraput and Malkangiri in Odisha, and Bastar, Dantewada, and Kanker in Chhattisgarh, were subjected to inhumane conditions. They were lured with a Rs 15,000 advance via UPI and promises of decent jobs, and faced exploitation upon arrival.
New Indian Express
6 days ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
TFCC rejects workers' demand for wage hike
HYDERABAD: The Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce (TFCC) has issued a statement opposing the demand of the Telugu Film Industry Employees Federation for a 30% wage hike, which led to a shooting halt across the industry on August 4. TFCC has passed a 'unanimous resolution' to allow producers to hire non-union workers. The chamber said, 'The Telugu film industry in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh is already in a very difficult situation. At such a time, when discussions are underway for an amicable solution under the guidance of the honourable Labour Commissioner, the federation has chosen to defy this process.' The chamber argued that the hike is 'unaffordable to small producers' and added that 'every small producer is against this hike, which is not within their means.' TFCC noted that under the Minimum Wages Act, producers have the right to employ workers as long as they are paid minimum wages. It also referred to a Competition Commission of India (CCI) order that restrained federations from imposing anti-competitive practices. The TFCC emphasised that producers can now work with skilled workers irrespective of union affiliation, saying, 'There is no film industry without producers. Trade unions should recognise that the well-being of producers is vital for the survival of our industry.'
The Hindu
6 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Telugu Film Chamber turns down federation's 30% wage hike demand
A day after the Telugu Film Industry Employees' Federation called for a strike, demanding a 30 per cent wage hike, the Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce (TFCC) has responded in the negative. Passing an 'unanimous resolution', the TFCC has allowed producers to hire workers who aren't part of the union. Shooting across Telugu cinema came to a halt due to the strike called by the Telugu Film Industry Employees' Federation on August 04, 2025. Reacting to the development, the Film Chamber said in a statement, 'The Telugu film industry in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh is already in a very difficult situation. At such a time, when discussions are underway for an amicable solution under the guidance of the Honourable Labour Commissioner, the Federation has chosen to defy this process.' In a notice, the Federation had said that 'members should not report to shoot anywhere' until the wage hike is implemented. 'The Federation decided that from August 04, 2025, a 30 % wage hike should be given. Unless producers send a letter stating they will implement this hike and send it to unions, there will be no shooting.' The Chamber said the hike is 'unaffordable for small produces', adding that 'all small producers are against the hike, as it's not in their means.' The TFCC cited Labour Commissioner's clarification, stating that under the Minimum Wages Act, producers have the right to employ workers as long as they are paid minimum wages. It also mentioned the Competition Commission of India (CCI) order that restrains federations from imposing anti-competitive practices. ALSO READ: Gowtam Tinnanuri interview: 'Kingdom' being compared to 'Chatrapathi' gives me a high 'There is no film industry without producers. Trade unions should recognise that the well-being of producers is vital for the survival of our industry,' said TFCC, adding that producers can hire workers outside of the union. 'The cost of living is lower in Hyderabad than in other metropolitan cities. Moreover, we are paying higher wages to workers here than in other film industries,' the Chamber further said.
Hans India
02-08-2025
- Hans India
Hyderabad: 1,247 children rescued in city
Hyderabad: The Hyderabad City Police along with the Child Welfare Committee successfully conducted Operation Muskaan XI in the month of July and rescued a total of 1,247 children, including 560 from other states across India. The operation was conducted including the departments - Labour Department, Department of Women and Child Welfare, Child Line, Anti-Human Trafficking Unit (AHTU), Juvenile Bureau (JB) Unit, and various NGOs from July 1 to July 31. This intensive month-long operation was aimed at identifying and rescuing children involved in child labour, begging and those found in vulnerable conditions on streets and other unsafe environments. According to the police, a total of 28 dedicated divisional teams were constituted across the city for this special drive. These teams carried out inspections and rescue operations at various commercial establishments, traffic junctions, bus stations, railway stations, construction sites, and other suspected locations. The teams worked round the clock and displayed exceptional commitment in safeguarding the rights and dignity of children. Viswaprasad, Addl. CP Crimes said 'In the operation, a total of 1,247 children were rescued, including 1,173 boys and 74 girls. Among these rescued children, 673 belong to Telangana State, while 560 were identified as hailing from other states across India.' He said, notably, 14 children were found to be from Nepal. To ensure stringent legal action against the perpetrators, the police have registered 55 FIRs in various police stations against employers who were found engaging children in illegal labour practices. Furthermore, 939 cases under the Minimum Wages Act have been booked and fine an amount of Rs 47,75,921 against erring employers. Under the direct supervision of Viswaprasad IPS, Addl. CP Crimes, we conducted a coordination meeting with all stakeholders at the outset of Operation Muskaan XI, followed by a follow-up video conference with 28 divisional teams. This initiative motivated the teams to perform effectively and contributed to the success of Operation Muskaan XI.
The Hindu
01-08-2025
- The Hindu
Over 7,600 children rescued under Operation Muskaan-XI
A total of 7,678 children were rescued from vulnerable and exploitative conditions as part of Operation Muskaan-XI, a month-long child rescue initiative conducted across Telangana from July 1 to 31, 2025. 121 Sub-Divisional police teams comprising 786 police personnel participated in the mission. The drive targeted high-risk areas such as railway and bus stations, brick kilns, mechanic shops, construction sites, tea stalls, and religious places. It was carried out in coordination with the Women Development and Child Welfare Department, Labour and Health Departments, Child Welfare Committees (CWCs), District Child Protection Units (DCPUs), and NGOs. Of the total children rescued, 7,149 were boys and 529 were girls. More than half of the children, 3,787, were from outside Telangana, including children from 12 States. Another 3,783 children were from Nepal. The operation found that 6,718 children were engaged in child labour, 357 were street children, 42 were found begging, and two were in bonded labour. Additionally, 559 children were employed in other hazardous or exploitative roles. In terms of legal action, 1,713 FIRs were registered and 1,718 individuals were arrested. A total of 1,745 children were rescued as part of these criminal investigations. The Labour Department submitted 1,613 inspection reports. As many as 6,593 children were reunited with their families, while 1,049 were admitted to child care homes. Labour Department officials imposed penalties amounting to ₹47.76 lakh for violations under the Minimum Wages Act and Child Labour Prohibition and Regulation Act. In a progressive step, 2,600 migrant children rescued during the operation were enrolled in 29 urban bridge schools across the State, ensuring they are given educational opportunities and a path towards reintegration. 1,247 rescued in Hyd. The Hyderabad city police, in coordination with multiple departments and NGOs, rescued 1,247 children during the month-long Operation Muskaan XI conducted from July 1 to 31. The initiative was aimed at rescuing children engaged in child labour, begging, and those found in unsafe environments across the city. The operation was carried out with the support of the Child Welfare Committee, Labour Department, Department of Women and Child Welfare, Child Line, Anti-Human Trafficking Unit (AHTU), Juvenile Bureau, and several NGOs. A total of 28 divisional teams were formed for this special drive. These teams conducted inspections and rescue operations at commercial establishments, traffic junctions, bus and railway stations, construction sites, and other vulnerable locations across Hyderabad. Of the 1,247 children rescued, 1,173 were boys and 74 were girls. While 673 of them belonged to Telangana, 560 were from other States. Fourteen children were identified as nationals of Nepal. The rescued children were handed over to appropriate authorities for rehabilitation and counselling. To initiate legal action against those responsible for employing children in violation of the law, police registered 55 FIRs across various police stations. In addition, 939 cases were booked under the Minimum Wages Act and fines amounting to ₹47,75,921 were imposed on erring employers. A coordination meeting with all stakeholder departments was held prior to the operation, followed by a video conference with the 28 divisional teams. The structured planning and coordination contributed significantly to the success of the initiative. Further follow-up actions and legal proceedings are under way.
