TNNMEA conference in Thoothukudi addresses employee benefits

The Tamil Nadu Nutritious Meal Employees Association (TNNMEA) held its 14th district-level conference in Thoothukudi on Saturday. The gathering focused on various issues affecting noon meal workers in the state. Members passed several resolutions, including a demand to fill vacant positions for noon meal workers. They also called for long-serving employees, with more than 40 years of service, to be recognized as permanent government workers. The resolutions seek to guarantee their salaries and pensions come with family security benefits. Another key demand was to expand the Chief Minister's breakfast scheme to all schools and to integrate it with the noon meal programs. The members highlighted the need for a salary increase to match the rising cost of living. TNNMEA also pushed for better retirement benefits, suggesting ₹5 lakh for organizers and ₹3 lakh for cooks and assistants. They requested compassionate appointments for the male heirs of deceased workers and reserved 30% of government job vacancies for noon meal workers. A. Jessi, the State Secretary of TNNMEA, expressed her disappointment about the government's decision to outsource staff for the breakfast scheme. She criticized the government for ignoring the needs of workers and teachers despite ongoing protests. The meeting included notable figures such as TNNMEA District President T. Jayabakkiyam and others who are part of the association.