Image Source: Hindu Tamil
The indefinite strike by state transport workers, organized by the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), has entered its third week, with union leaders declaring that the agitation will continue until the government announces a clear timeline for addressing their demands.
The strike began on 18 August 2025, with workers pressing for the settlement of wage arrears and the disbursal of retirement benefits up to April 2024. The protests intensified after police detained participants of the Kaththiruppu demonstration on Pallavan Road in Chennai. Since then, workers have staged road blockades and continued demonstrations across the state.
Union representatives pointed out that despite assurances, not all retirees have received their entitled cash benefits. They demanded that the state government at least fix a deadline for clearing the arrears to all eligible workers.
On Sunday, 31 August 2025, large numbers of employees gathered at the Ayanavaram and Vadapalani workshops in Chennai, continuing the Kaththiruppu protest.
Participants criticized both the current DMK government and the previous AIADMK regime for failing to resolve the issue. They alleged that while the Chief Minister attributed the shortfall to a lack of central funding, state finances were not being transparently allocated. Workers also accused both major parties of adopting a “dual stance” on the new pension scheme bill.
Union leaders maintained that only sustained, large-scale agitation would compel the government to meet the workers’ long-pending demands.
(With inputs from Hindu Tamil)
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