Punjab Roadways Contractual Workers Stage Strike Over Job Regularisation

Contractual workers of Punjab Roadways and PEPSU RTC launched a strike demanding job regularisation. The protest affected bus operations, causing inconvenience to passengers. A meeting with the Punjab Transport secretary ended without resolution. Protesters have threatened to escalate actions if demands are not met.

Contractual employees of the Punjab Roadways and PEPSU Road Transportation Corporation initiated a strike on Thursday, urging the state government to regularize their employment. They demanded the abolition of contract-based hiring and pressed for new bus inductions.

Passengers at various bus stands faced significant delays, relying on private operators amid the absence of over 2,500 government buses. A meeting between the transport workers' union and the Punjab Transport secretary concluded inconclusively, leaving the demands unaddressed.

Protesters held demonstrations across 27 bus depots, voicing dissatisfaction over the government's inaction on previous assurances. Union representatives have signaled escalating protests, including demonstrations set for August 15, if their demands continue to go unmet.

(With inputs from agencies.)