CHENNAI: The protest staged by hundreds of Secondary Grade Teachers (SGTs) demanding 'equal pay for equal work' entered the fifth day on Tuesday. The agitating teachers said they had placed the demand more than two decades ago, but the successive governments have not taken any steps to address it.

Nearly 20,000 secondary grade teachers working in government primary and middle schools, including 16,500 female teachers, have been fighting for equal pay for equal work. “Many have retired during this two-decade fight, but we have so far not received any relief,” said a teacher.

Though they handle the same workload as others, the teachers appointed after June 2009 were getting Rs 3,170 less than those appointed on or before May 31, 2009. The pay gap widened in December 2022 after the recommendations of the Seventh Pay Commission were implemented.

Speaking to DT Next, a member of the Secondary Grade Seniority Teachers' Association (SSTA) said the School Education Department has the highest budget allocation and the government earmarks several crores for various projects. “But, it claims there are no funds to provide rightful salaries to the teachers," said the person.

While the officials or the minister have not intervened in the protest so far, sources said a favourable decision would be taken by the department by January 6.