The Periyar University Employees Union (PUEU) staged a protest in front of the university on Thursday (August 13, 2026) demanding to fulfil their five demands.The union members, led by its general secretary C. Sakthivel, gathered in front of Periyar University, raised slogans, and urged the Higher Education Department to act on their demands without any delay.Mr. Sakthivel said that since the university did not credit provident fund to the employees’ accounts from 1997 to 2013, the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) deducted the amount from their university accounts along with the fine.A case is pending before the court regarding the issue. Meanwhile, more than 10 employees died and their families were unable to get the EPF for 13 years. “The university administration should conduct talks with the union to come up with an amicable solution,” he said.Mr. Sakthivel added that while the university is already suffering from a funding crunch, workers from the constituent colleges are posted at the university. This should be avoided, and they must be sent back to the constituent colleges.Demanding a salary hike for consolidated pay and daily wage workers in the university, Mr. Sakthivel said that based on the education qualification, the salary of workers should be increased on par with the rule.He stated an incident where an employee who recovered after being treated for paralysis for a year was not allowed by the university administration to rejoin. Likewise, following allegations of fake certificates, corruption, funds misappropriation charges and various complaints from students, professor at the Tamil Department, Periyasamy, was placed under suspension.Inquiry committees were constituted, and inquiries were going on regarding the allegations. But, the investigations were put on hold for the past few months. The inquiries should be conducted without delay, and he should not be reinstated before the completion of the inquiry, Mr. Sakthivel added. Published - August 13, 2026 06:42 pm IST