The Tamil Nadu government went ahead with its plans to recruit temporary staff even as the strike by its employees and teachers entered the third day on Friday.

The government proposes to recruit 10,000 temporary staff by Sunday, official sources said, adding they will be deployed in district collectorates and talukas and paid a consolidated salary of Rs 5,000 per month.

Despite the government's warning that action will be taken, majority of the employees continued to stay away from offices, spokesman of the striking organisations said.

Over 1,200 have already been arrested after the government invoked the Essential Services Maintenance Act.

The Joint Action Council of Teachers Associations and Government Employees Organisations, and the Confederation of Teachers Organisation and Government Employees Associations have threatened to intensify the struggle from next week by resorting to picketing.

The agitators are demanding full cash payment of gratuity and encashment of earned leave, restoration of bonus for pongal, cash payment of entire additional dearness allowance of four per cent sanctioned in October last, and payment of 60 per cent arrears of pay, allowance and pensions, impounded in 1998.