The Tamil Nadu government has issued a stern warning to employees planning to participate in a one-day strike on December 11, called by government employees’ unions protesting the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS). Chief Secretary Muruganandam stated that any absenteeism without medical leave would lead to a day’s salary deduction.
The strike, organized by the Federation of Government Employees and Teachers Associations, demands the scrapping of the CPS and a return to the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), which guarantees a fixed pension after retirement. The unions have repeatedly voiced concerns that the CPS compromises financial security for employees post-retirement.
In response, the Chief Secretary issued a circular instructing all Additional Chief Secretaries and District Collectors to strictly monitor attendance. Department heads have been asked to ensure that employees report to duty and to record any unauthorised absence, emphasizing that no casual leave will be granted for December 11, except for genuine medical reasons.
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To strengthen supervision, all departments have been directed to send a consolidated attendance report by 10:15 a.m., listing employees present, absent, or attempting to take leave without approval. Officials failing to comply with these regulations could be deemed in violation of service rules.
While the government maintains that reverting to OPS would create a significant financial burden on the state exchequer, unions have insisted on intensifying their protests. Thursday’s strike is therefore expected to be a litmus test for union participation amid the government’s strict measures.
The standoff highlights ongoing tension between financial sustainability concerns of the state and the retirement security demands of its employees, setting the stage for further negotiations or confrontations in the coming weeks.
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