Raising a 25-point charter of demands, workers belonging to the Tamil Nadu Temple Workers` Union observed a one-day dharna on 13 October 2008 in various places in Tamil Nadu. Two of the demands of the protestors were an increase in their salaries, based on the income of the temples, and that the employment of the daily wage workers and those drawing consolidated pay be made permanent. Workers in Coimbatore, Madurai and Tirunelveli cities went on a fast, demanding provident fund, gratuity, pension, etc.

The protestors pointed out that whereas the employees of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department (HRCED) are entitled to Rs 1.50 lakhs as family welfare fund, they are only entitled to Rs 75,000. They demanded that action be taken to make the amount at par with HRCED employees. The same disparity exists in the dearness allowance of the temple workers and HRCED employees; the union demanded that these disparities be weeded out.

The High Court of Madras, in an earlier order, had asked the government to give pension to the workers, who retired before 1 January 2006. Till date, no action had been taken in this regard. The union demanded that the government should address this issue at the earliest. Besides these, it demanded leave surrender facility and other related privileges.

The union has threatened the state government that if its demands are not considered, the workers may opt for an indefinite strike.