Trade unions in Coimbatore are demanding that Tasmac provide alternative employment for staff affected by the closure of several liquor outlets [1].
The protests highlight the precarious nature of state-run liquor retail employment in Tamil Nadu, where sudden administrative shifts can leave workers without a livelihood.
Staff members held a protest on Monday in the Coimbatore district [2]. The demonstrations focused on the loss of work following the shutdown of various outlets. Trade unions said the government must ensure that affected employees are reassigned to other positions to prevent total loss of income [1].
Beyond the immediate loss of jobs, workers expressed concern over administrative policies. Some employees said they are facing threats of suspension related to a bottle-buy-back policy [2]. This policy has created friction between the workforce and management, adding a layer of disciplinary fear to the existing unemployment crisis.
These tensions led to operational disruptions during the protests. Some outlets in the district experienced delays in opening for nearly three hours [2].
Coimbatore district currently has 285 Tasmac outlets [2]. The unions are urging the state to address the grievances of the staff, and resolve the disputes regarding the buy-back policy to restore stability to the retail network [1], [2].
“Trade unions in Coimbatore are demanding that Tasmac provide alternative employment for staff affected by the closure of several liquor outlets.”
The conflict underscores a systemic tension within Tamil Nadu's state-controlled liquor monopoly, where operational changes like outlet closures and bottle-recovery policies can lead to immediate labor instability. Because Tasmac is a primary revenue generator for the state, prolonged disruptions in a major hub like Coimbatore could signal broader challenges in managing the transition of retail footprints and workforce relations.
