Government employees and teachers go on one-day strike in Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Government employees and teachers of the state conducted a strike on Tuesday on the call from opposition organizations to protest against the non-payment of dearness allowance and benefits including leave surrender for three years.

Out of 5,060 employees in the Secretariat, only 3,683 people appeared for work on Tuesday. It is reported that 60-70 per cent of the employees have come to work in collectorates and other government institutions. The government will give the list of absent employees to the Public Administration Department.

According to sources, the strike did not affect government operations. Officials informed that there was no crisis in the meetings including the cabinet meeting on Tuesday nor did the strike affect the finance department in the preparation of the budget.

Secretariat Employees Association President P. Honey and General Secretary KN Ashok Kumar said that the strike was rejected by the employees.

UDF Deputy Leader of Opposition P. K. Kunhalikutty inaugurated the secretariat march conducted by SETO.

A clash broke out during the secretariat march by the opposition organization workers after ruling party organizations appeared on the spot and started pushing each other. According to Honey, the leader of the Secretariat Employees Association, the scuffle happened after the protesters blocked employees who came to work.