Kerala government prohibits employees from joining general strike
India Today
Kerala government has issued an order preventing any public servant from taking part in the strike tomorrow.
Kerala government on Monday barred employees from joining any strike and informed that disciplinary action will be taken against employees, who abstain from work, by participating in the nationwide strike tomorrow, March 29.
In line with the Kerala High Court's direction, the government issued dies non (no work, no pay) asking the government staff to appear for work and not strike against the government. Legally, all government staff are bound to turn up for work on Tuesday now. The state chief secretary has made it clear that leave will not be issued unless it is an emergency.
READ | Day 1 of nationwide strike complete in Kerala, HC slams govt employees
Meanwhile, the service associations have rejected the dies non and said that they have given notice prior to the strike and that they will proceed with it. The Advocate General had gone through the order issued by the High Court and referred it to the chief secretary recommending declaration of dies non. The chief secretary then issued the order.
On Monday morning, the Kerala High Court had observed that the government staff cannot go on strike and that the government should not simply watch as they do this. According to Kerala service rules, government employees do not have any right to protest against government policies.
The division bench comprising Chief Justice S Manikumar ruled that it was illegal for government officials to participate in strikes, citing Employees Service Rules.
Normal life was affected on Day 1 of the nationwide strike as shops and establishments remained shut. The order is a major setback for trade unions affiliated with the ruling CPM and Congress.
