THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In view of the nationwide strike called by various trade unions, the Left government in Kerala has declared a dies non for striking employees. The government issued an order late on Wednesday night stating that unauthorised absence will result in the withholding of salary.
Referring to the strike called by certain state government employee organisations and teachers on 12 February, the government stated that leave will be sanctioned to employees only under stringent conditions.
"As per Rule 14A of Part I of the Kerala Service Rules, the period of unauthorised absence of an officer due to participation in a strike shall be treated as ‘dies non’. The following orders are issued: the unauthorised absence of employees participating in the strike will be treated as dies non under Rule 14A of Part I, KSR. The pay for the day on which the strike takes place will be withheld from the salary for March 2026," the order stated.
According to the order, no leave of any kind shall be granted to government employees and teachers for the strike day, except on the following grounds:
(a) Sickness of the individual or a near relative (near relative includes spouse, children, father, and mother of the government servant)
(b) Examination purposes of the employee
(c) Maternity purposes of the employee
(d) Other unavoidable reasons of a similar nature
Similarly, those engaging in violence or the destruction of public property will be prosecuted. The government has also directed Heads of Departments to take appropriate action. District Collectors and the KSRTC Managing Director have been instructed to ensure that sufficient vehicles are operated to enable government servants to attend office.
District Collectors, Heads of Departments, and District Police Chiefs are to take measures to protect those not participating in the strike. They should also ensure unhindered access to government offices and institutions, the order added.