Punjab Roadways Operations To Halt Again From September 22

The Punjab Roadways, Punbus, and PRTC Contract Workers Union (Punjab 25/11) has announced an indefinite strike starting September 22, to press for their demands. Addressing a press conference in Chandigarh on Friday, Union State President Resham Singh Gill stated that for the past four and a half years, the government has merely held meetings regarding the regularization of employees and the abolition of the contract system.

While approximately 60 to 65 meetings have taken place so far, no concrete decision has been reached on their demands. Gill noted that prior to coming to power, the government had promised to regularize contract workers and provide them with full salary benefits; yet, not a single employee in the transport department has been regularized to date.

Exploitation Of Employees

He alleged that employees are being exploited through contractors regarding Provident Fund (PF) and Employees’ State Insurance (ESI) contributions. Union General Secretary Shamsher Singh Dhillon alleged that instead of expanding the fleet of government buses, the government is promoting the ‘Kilometer Scheme.’ According to him, around 800 buses have been declared condemned during the current government’s tenure, but no new buses have been purchased.

Government Routes Affected

The failure to purchase new buses is adversely affecting government routes and benefiting private bus operators. He added that the Kilometer Scheme is also limiting employment opportunities for the youth of Punjab. Senior Vice President Harkesh Kumar Vicky stated that key demands also include the withdrawal of cases registered during the agitation and the release of imprisoned employees.

They warned that if their demands are not met, they would boycott the government’s political rallies and stage massive protests. Union leaders declared that bus operations would come to a complete halt from September 22, and sit-in protests would be held outside the residences of the Chief Minister and the Transport Minister. The government and the management would be held responsible for the consequences.