Contractual employees of Punjab Roadways, PRTC begin 3-day strike; bus services hit

Contractual employees of Punjab Roadways and Pepsu Road Transportation Corporation began a three-day strike on Monday to press their demands, including regularisation of their jobs.

Due to the strike, commuters were left stranded at various bus stands across the state. The passengers had to resort to private buses and shell out more money.

The strike also cast a shadow over the regular women passengers, who come free of cost from the periphery areas to work in the city.

Kamlesh, who works at a mall in Ludhiana, said since the government buses were not plying, she came through a private bus and had to shell out approximately Rs 100 (to and fro) for a single day.

“We do not earn that much in three days and have to spend Rs 300-400 as rent for the bus”, she rued.

As per estimates, over 1 lakh passengers will be affected in the state due to the ongoing strike by the Contractual Workers Union.

According to the protesters, around 2,800 buses of Punjab Roadways and Pepsu Road Transportation Corporation (PRTC) stayed off the roads.

Punjab Roadways, Punbus, PRTC Contract Workers' Union president Resham Singh Gill said around 8,000 contractual employees are participating in the strike.

Demonstrations are being held at all 27 bus depots across the state, he said.

The contractual employees have been demanding regularisation of their jobs and a salary hike, among other things, Gill said.

A few days ago, the union held a meeting with Punjab Transport Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar regarding its demands but there was no resolution, he said.

The protesters said they will march towards Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's residence here on Tuesday as part of their protest. — with PTI