Chandigarh- Punjab Roadways, Punbus and PRTC Contract Workers Union have announced to go on indefinite strike from September 22 regarding their demands. Due to 6,500 employees going on strike, operation of more than 2,700 buses in the state will be stopped.
In a press conference held in Chandigarh on Friday, state president of the union Resham Singh Gill said that for the last four and a half years, the government has been making only promises in the name of regularizing the employees and ending the contractual system. A meeting was scheduled with the Transport Minister on September 17, but it was cancelled. About 60 to 65 meetings have been held so far, but no concrete decisions have been taken on the demands.
Resham Singh Gill, State President, Union said: “Before coming to power, the government had promised to regularize the contract employees and provide them full salary facilities, but till now not a single employee has been regularized.”
Shamsher Singh Delhi, General Secretary, Union said: “Employees are being exploited in the name of contributions to provident fund and Employees' State Insurance through contractors. Instead of increasing the fleet of government buses, the government is promoting the kilometer scheme.”
Harkesh Kumar Vivki, senior vice president, union, said: “Around 800 buses have been declared condemned, while new buses have not been purchased. Our main demand is withdrawal of the cases registered during the agitation and release of the jailed employees.”
Big impact from strike
6,500 raw workers will go on strike
2,700+ buses will remain closed
Strike indefinite from 22nd September
Dharna at the residence of Chief Minister and Transport Minister
Union leaders said that buses will be blocked in the state from September 22. A protest will be held outside the residence of the Chief Minister and the Transport Minister.