The Punjab Roadways Transport Corporation (PRTC) and Punbus employees unions have called for a statewide strike that will halt all government bus services for three days, starting January 6. The strike comes as part of their ongoing protest against the Punjab Government’s failure to address long-standing demands concerning the rights of contract workers.
The unions, representing thousands of contract employees working under the PRTC and Punbus, have planned protests and a complete shutdown of bus services across the State. On January 7, the workers will march to the Chief Minister’s residence in Chandigarh, where a demonstration is scheduled to take place at 10 am. This will further intensify the struggle for permanent employment status and the abolition of the contract-based system, which has long been a bone of contention for the workers.
For months, the contract workers from PRTC and Punbus have been demanding job regularization, better working conditions, and a halt to the exploitation of temporary workers. The key demand is the permanent absorption of temporary workers — a promise made by the government but not yet fulfilled. The workers have argued that despite repeated assurances from the authorities, their grievances remain largely unaddressed.
In a significant move the previous month, workers from Jalandhar Depot 1 and 2 met with Cabinet Minister Mohinder Bhagat and various other legislators to submit a memorandum highlighting their demands. The union leaders, including Vikramjit Singh, Satpal Singh Satta, Jasbir Singh, and Anoop Singh, pressed for immediate action to regularize temporary employees and end the oppressive contract system. Despite the meetings and submission of their demands, no substantial action has been taken, leading to the decision to go on strike.
“We have been patient for too long, but the delay in regularizing our jobs is unacceptable. The government has repeatedly promised to resolve this issue, yet nothing has changed. If our demands are not met, we will escalate our struggle,” said Channan Singh Channa, a senior union leader.
Impact on Commuters and State Economy
The strike, scheduled for January 6 to 8, will significantly affect public transportation in Punjab. With government buses off the roads, thousands of commuters will face considerable inconvenience. Many will have to rely on private buses or taxis, which are expected to be in high demand. This not only poses a financial burden on travelers but also disrupts daily routines for many who depend on government buses for commuting to work, schools, and other essential activities.
The workers’ strike could also lead to a substantial economic loss for the state, especially as the transport sector plays a crucial role in the movement of goods and services. Additionally, with the planned shutdown of bus stands and the exclusion of private buses from bus terminals, the ripple effect will be felt across various sectors. It is expected that the local businesses and taxi operators will see a temporary surge in demand, but at the same time, the overall productivity of the workforce may decline due to transportation woes.
Union's Call for Mass Mobilization
The workers’ unions have expressed that this strike is just the beginning of their larger struggle. Alongside their primary demands, they have also raised issues regarding the introduction of new buses, the closure of kilometer-based schemes, the crackdown on transport mafias, and the reinstatement of workers who were dismissed under controversial circumstances.
The unions have warned that if the government continues to ignore their demands, the situation could escalate. “If no concrete steps are taken to resolve the issues, we will intensify our protests, possibly even taking our families to the streets,” said another union leader Satpal Singh Satta.
Additionally, farmer unions have also expressed solidarity with the workers, promising to join the protests, which could further amplify the public pressure on the State Government.
Previous Meetings and Govt Response
The workers’ union met with Punjab’s senior transport officials earlier in July 2024, where their primary demand for regularizing temporary employees was highlighted. They also requested the removal of contract-based employment and a halt to the privatization of public transport. However, despite these discussions, no significant actions were taken by the authorities. This inaction has now led to the strike, which is expected to disrupt transportation services statewide, as workers across all districts prepare for massive demonstrations.
“We have tried to address our concerns through official channels, but the Government has not responded positively. We have been ignored time and again, and now, we have no choice but to escalate our protest,” added Risham Singh Gill, the state president of the Punjab Roadways, PRTC, and Punbus Contract Workers Union.
The next few days will be challenging for commuters in Punjab, with the three-day strike set to disrupt transportation services. The workers’ unions remain firm in their resolve, and if the Government does not intervene promptly to resolve the issues, the protests are expected to intensify. For the people of Punjab, this could mean a significant inconvenience, with major implications for daily life and the local economy.
