Punjab Roadways strike: PUNBUS, PRTC contract workers to begin Chakka Jam from Sept 22

PTC Web Desk:  Contract workers of Punjab Roadways, PUNBUS and PRTC have announced an indefinite strike across Punjab from September 22 over their long-pending demands.

The Punjab Roadways, PUNBUS/PRTC Contract Workers Union said repeated meetings with the Punjab Government had failed to produce a concrete solution. The union has also warned of protests outside the residences of the Chief Minister and the Transport Minister if its demands are not addressed.

The announcement was made during a press conference in Chandigarh. Union president Resham Singh Gill said employees had been waiting for action on issues such as regularisation of jobs, ending the contract system and providing proper salaries and service benefits.

Union leaders said several rounds of talks had taken place with the government over the past few years, but most of their demands remain unresolved. 

Workers raise job regularisation issue

Resham Singh Gill alleged that the government has been forming committees on the regularisation of jobs issue instead of taking a final decision. According to the union, no transport department employee has been regularised despite more than four and a half years having passed.

The workers have also raised allegations concerning deductions and the handling of employees' EPF and ESI contributions through contractors. 

Union opposes km scheme

Union general secretary Shamsher Singh Dhillon criticised the government's increasing reliance on private buses under the km scheme.

He claimed that the number of government-owned buses has declined while more private buses are being used on routes that were earlier served by state transport. The union says this is affecting the government transport system and reducing employment opportunities for young people.

The union has also alleged that hundreds of government buses have become unserviceable and that the number of new buses being added is not enough to meet the requirement. 

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Demand to withdraw cases against employees

Senior vice-president Harkesh Kumar Vicky said cases registered against employees during earlier protests should be withdrawn. The union also demanded the reinstatement of workers who were removed from service.

The workers have further sought implementation of court orders relating to their service conditions and action on their demand for equal pay for equal work.

Meetings with govt remain a key issue

Union leaders alleged that meetings with government representatives have repeatedly been postponed. They said assurances were given that their issues would be resolved within a specified period, but no final settlement followed.

The union has now warned that if its demands are not addressed, workers will begin an indefinite strike and chakka jam from September 22. It has also threatened wider protests, including demonstrations outside the residences of senior government leaders.