The Mo Bus services were partially hit on different routes in the city on Monday after some of its employees staged a demonstration demanding a hike in salary. More than a hundred drivers operating the bus service sat on a dharna at Mo Bus depot near Sum Hospital in the city. Reports said Mo Bus services in as many as 14 routes, including Bhubaneswar, Jatni and Khordha were affected due to ongoing cease-work stir. The drivers alleged that though prices of essential commodities are soaring, there has not been any hike in their salary for last three years. They also alleged that Travel Time, which is in charge of the management of Mo Bus, has not paid salaries to the staffs during lockdown. The drivers have accused the company of cutting their two-day salary i.e. on Saturday and Sunday when buses stayed off the roads due to weekend shutdown. The protesting employees alleged that though company is deducting money for provident fund from their salary, it is not reflecting in their deposit accounts.
“The State Government did not give us any financial assistance during the pandemic situation. Therefore, we were forced to launch strike. We had earlier requested concerned authorities for a hike in our salary from Rs 12,000 to Rs 18,000. However, no steps have been taken in this regard yet. We will not join work until our demands are met,” threatened the agitating staffs.