Wed Jan 22 18:42:54 UTC 2025: **Kozhikode Government Employees Stage Statewide Strike**

KOZHIKODE, Kerala, January 23, 2025 – Government services in Kozhikode district were significantly disrupted on Wednesday, January 22, due to a statewide strike by government employees and teachers. The strike, involving both the CPI-aligned Joint Council of State Service Organisations and the Congress-aligned State Employees and Teachers Organisation (SETO), resulted in approximately 70% absenteeism at the district collectorate and widespread disruption across various departments, including Revenue, Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, and parts of Health. The government has responded by issuing a ‘dies non’ order, meaning no pay for participating employees.

The striking organizations share similar demands, including the reinstatement of the old pension scheme, implementation of the 12th Pay Commission recommendations, release of pending dearness allowance and salary arrears, reversal of the freeze on leave surrender benefits, and government takeover of the Medisep health insurance scheme. The Joint Council also protests alleged discrimination against Kerala in the allocation of central funds.

The protests took a visually striking turn with members of a ruling Left Democratic Front constituent and an opposition party holding separate but concurrent demonstrations outside the district collectorate. However, organizations affiliated with the Indian Union Muslim League did not participate.

Vadakara MP Shafi Parambil, speaking at the SETO protest, accused the state government of owing employees and teachers ₹65,000 crore in unpaid benefits, highlighting further delays in payments to drug distributors, social security pensioners, and school headteachers who had already spent funds allocated to the noon meal scheme. He criticized the government’s spending priorities, alleging that political interests were prioritized over employee welfare. Similar protests occurred at taluk offices in Thamarassery, Koyilandy, and the Vadakara mini civil station.

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