Tamil Nadu Government Staff, Teachers to Strike from January 6
Government employees and teachers across Tamil Nadu have announced an indefinite strike beginning January 6 after talks with the state government failed to yield an agreement. The decision was taken by the Joint Action Council of Tamil Nadu Teachers’ Organisations and Government Employees’ Organisations (JACTO-GEO) following a meeting with state ministers that ended without any assurance on their key demands.
Union representatives said repeated discussions over the past several months had not resulted in concrete outcomes, leaving employees with no option but to resort to a statewide strike. They stated that the protest would continue until the government addresses their concerns in a time-bound manner.
Key Demands of Employees and Teachers
The striking employees are pressing for the restoration of the Old Pension Scheme, filling up of vacant government posts, revision of pay scales, and improvement in service conditions. Pension-related issues remain a central point of contention, with unions arguing that the existing system does not provide adequate social security after retirement.
Unions have also demanded the withdrawal of certain administrative reforms that they claim adversely affect job security and workload. Preparatory meetings and mobilisation efforts are expected to intensify across districts in the days leading up to January 6.
Likely Impact on Public Services
The strike is expected to disrupt the functioning of government offices, public services, and schools across the state, as a large number of employees and teachers are likely to participate. Essential services may face delays, while academic schedules in government schools could be affected.
Government Response Awaited
The Tamil Nadu government has not yet issued a formal response to the strike announcement. Officials have indicated that the administration is examining the demands while balancing fiscal constraints and employee welfare. Further talks remain uncertain as of now.
