In a relief to students of State-run schools, general public and the State government, the Joint Action Council of Tamil Nadu Teachers' Organisations and Government Employees' Organisations (JACTTO-GEO) on Wednesday announced its decision to “temporarily postpone” its indefinite strike, which severely affected business in government offices and classes in government schools, since January 22.
“In view of the upcoming examinations and practical tests for Class 10, 11 and 12 students and in consideration of the welfare of students and the sentiments of their parents, directions of the High Court as well as the appeal of the Chief Ministers and other political leaders, we have decided to temporarily suspend our indefinite protests. Our demands still remain,” one of the JACTTO-GEO coordinators and Tamil Nadu Teachers Federation General Secretary A. Vincent Paulraj announced here.
Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami had on Tuesday appealed to the striking employees and teachers to prioritise people welfare works over their rights and return to work. DMK president and Leader of the Opposition M.K. Stalin too on Wednesday appealed striking teachers to return to work in view of the interest of the students facing examinations.
Tamil Nadu Government Employees Association (TNGEA) General Secretary and one JACTTO-GEO State coordinators M. Anbarasu said that their association was still hopeful that the Chief Minister would hold talks with them to resolve issues.
Pointing to the strong action taken by the government against some of the striking employees, including the remand in prisons, departmental action against some teachers, Mr. Paulraj urged the government to withdraw action taken against them. He also reiterated that the Chief Minister should hold talks with them to resolve their demands.
Meanwhile, the one-day token strike announced by Tamil Nadu Secretariat Association (TANSA) on Wednesday turned out to be a damp squib, as 91% of the Secretariat staff turned up for work, sources in the Personnel and Administrative Reforms Department said. Later in the day, TANSA president S. Peter Antonysamy announced the decision to call off the strike it had earlier announced from February 1.
“In view of the appeal made by the Chief Minister and in view of the upcoming budget session works, and considering the welfare of government officials and students, recognised associations have decided not to go ahead with our plan to hold continuous protests,” he said. However, he maintained that the State government to hold talks with recognised associations to resolve the pending issues.
He also reiterated that the action taken against government employees and teachers, who have been subjected to action by the government, should be withdrawn.