Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) employees affiliated with Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) held a sit-in protest in Nagercoil, demanding the immediate release of 23 months of pension benefits.

The union members staged protest in front of the Ranithottam bus depot on Monday. The protest was led by CITU-TNSTC General Secretary, Kanniyakumari, Suresh Kumar.

CITU District vice-president Indira inaugurated the protest, and the demands were explained by the Retirees Welfare Association’s administrators.

The protesters urged the government to restore the old pension scheme for those who joined the service after April 1, 2003 and demanded the immediate release of pending pension benefits for the 23 months. They also stressed that the retirees should be provided with allowances, medical insurance, contractual pension hikes and an increase in minimum pension on par with the serving employees.

The sit-in protest which began at 10 a.m., saw the participation of several elderly pensioners. Protesters faced alternating spells of sudden rain and sunshine, but remained steadfast, with more than 200 people continuing the demonstration throughout the day.