Teachers and employees fast in Virudhunagar for demands

Over 400 members of the Joint Action Council of Tamil Nadu Teachers’ Organisation and Government Employees’ Organisation held a day-long fast in Virudhunagar. They were protesting to push for a 10-point charter of demands. One of the group’s leaders, S. Gunasekaran, shared that the members are struggling with the old pension scheme. He said Chief Minister M.K. Stalin had supported their cause in the past but has not acted on it since becoming Chief Minister. The protestors were disappointed by the State Budget announcement about restoring leave surrender that will not take effect until April 2026. Gunasekaran questioned why the budget mentioned future plans when they need action now. He explained that leave salary helps government workers pay their children’s school fees. The group also criticized a government order affecting Primary School Teachers, which they believe limits their promotional opportunities. Gunasekaran noted that this has impacted 90% of those teachers. Additionally, they demanded equal salaries for high school teachers compared to those in Central schools. They are also calling for the filling of job vacancies and regularization of work for road workers who had been removed from their jobs for 41 months. Other leaders, including K. Karuppaiah, Selvaganesan, P. Muthiah, and Pitchai, joined the hunger strike.