CHENNAI: State government employees struck work on Tuesday demanding implementation of the Seventh Pay Commission, disbursement of 20 per cent interim compensation and withdrawal of Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS).
Nearly nine lakh employees participated in nearly 350 locations, despite government warning.
M Anbarasu, general secretary of Tamil Nadu Government Employees Association (TNGEA), said all employees would go on an indefinite strike from September 7, if the State does not meet demands by then. Revenue and agriculture departments, schools, colleges, banks were among offices which did not function. Around 12,000 revenue employees abstained.
“Only one per cent of employees who are trainees worked today,” said K Kumaresan, president of Tamil Nadu Revenue Department Association. Over 30,000 primary and middle schools too remained closed. Anganwadi workers too did not show up. “We’re also demanding to regularise the services of contract teachers,” said S Moses, leader of TN Primary and Middle School Employees Association. In the event of failure of negotiations by the State, the association will meet on August 26 and 27 to discuss the indefinite strike.