COIMBATORE: Former AIADMK minister S P Velumani on Monday met mid-day meal and anganwadi workers who have been holding protests outside the south taluk office here for more than a week. He extended the AIADMK’s support to the protesters. Scores of workers have boycotted work for more than a week demanding that the state govt implement the periodic wage increases, promotions for those with 10 years of experience, pensions, filling of vacant positions and a minimum wage of Rs 19,500. They demanded that the state govt fulfil the promise made by DMK in the 2021 assembly election manifesto that anganwadi workers would be permanent govt employees. However, the govt did not take any step towards it. Condemning this, the workers were holding an indefinite strike across the state. Velumani met the protesters and offered them fruits. He told them that AIADMK would stand with them.Later, talking to reporters, Velumani said, “Even after so many days, none of the state officials, including the district collector, has taken any step towards negotiations. These workers have been protesting along with their children. We demand that the state govt hold talks with the workers and arrive at an amicable agreement.”He said a calling attention motion would be moved in the upcoming assembly session to raise workers’ issues, he added.
