Punjab Roadways contract workers call off strike after govt clears revised DC rate salaries

PTC Web Desk: Bus services across Punjab are expected to return to normal after contract employees of Punjab Roadways and PUNBUS suspended their statewide strike following assurances from the state government on the implementation of revised DC rate wages.

The breakthrough came after the government issued an official communication to all bus depots directing them to release salaries in accordance with the revised DC rates. Following the decision, the workers' union announced that it was putting the protest on hold.

Punjab Roadways, PUNBUS and PRTC Contract Workers' Union president Reshamjit Singh Gill confirmed that the strike had been suspended after the government accepted the key demand related to revised wages.

Earlier in the day, employees had halted bus operations at most depots across the state, disrupting public transport services. The protest was launched over the non-implementation of the revised DC rates, despite the new wage structure having already come into effect.

According to the union, the revised rates will increase the monthly salary of contract employees by nearly Rs 1,800.

Gill said workers had been receiving salaries below the revised labour rates for the past two months. He also alleged that even this month's wages were released according to the old pay scale.

The union had demanded immediate implementation of the 15% wage revision, payment of pending arrears for the last two months and an official notification from the PUNBUS headquarters confirming the revised salary structure.