In Punjab, approximately 4,000 buses remained off the roads as thousands of contractual employees of Pepsu Roadways Transport Corporation (PRTC) and Punjab Roadways (PUNBUS) initiated a strike, demanding the fulfillment of various longstanding requests. These employees, comprising nearly 7,000 bus drivers, conductors, and workshop staff, pressed for key demands such as job regularisation and salary parity, causing significant disruptions to the daily commute of countless individuals.
The Strike and Its Impact:
The strike persisted until Wednesday evening and caused considerable inconvenience to commuters across the state. With approximately 7,000 bus workers participating in the strike, commuters faced challenges in reaching their destinations. Women, who are eligible for free travel on Punjab government buses, were among those most affected.
Protesting employees lamented that despite assurances from the government and multiple meetings in the past year, their demands remained unmet. The primary grievances of the striking workers included:
- Job Regularisation: The demand for job regularisation was at the forefront, seeking job security for contractual employees.
- Salary Parity: Employees sought salaries equivalent to their regularly employed counterparts.
- Cessation of Outsourcing: They called for an end to outsourcing for new hires.
- Addressing Bus Issues: Workers wanted the government to address issues affecting the buses and their tires.
- Reinstatement of Suspended Workers: They sought the reinstatement of those who had been suspended for minor reasons.
Later in the day, representatives of Punjab Roadways, PUNBUS, and PRTC Contractual Worker Union of Punjab Roadways held a crucial meeting with Punjab Transport Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar in Chandigarh. During the meeting, the government issued orders to implement a 5 percent salary increase immediately. Additionally, discussions on the remaining demands are scheduled for a meeting with Punjab Chief Minister on September 29.
Satwinder Saini, the vice president of the PRTC Contractual Workers Union, emphasized that if their demands are not met, they will consider launching a more significant protest in the future.
Throughout the strike, commuters, including those with urgent business and women eligible for free travel, found themselves stranded. Many expressed their frustration and predicament due to the unavailability of buses, leaving them searching for alternative transportation options.
As the strike temporarily concludes, commuters hope for a swift resolution of the issues between the government and the bus workers to prevent further disruptions in the future.
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