Punjab contract transport workers launch statewide strike; commuters face major disruptions

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Patiala, August 3

Contract employees of PRTC, Punbus, and Punjab Roadways launched a statewide strike on Monday, demanding regularisation of their jobs, equal pay with permanent employees, and the fulfillment of several long-pending demands.

At the Patiala Bus Stand, contract workers staged a sit-in protest from early morning, raising slogans in support of their demands. While the employees continued their peaceful demonstration, passengers were left stranded as bus services were severely affected, causing significant inconvenience across the state.

According to the strike call, employees of Punjab Roadways, Punbus, and PRTC stopped work from the morning, disrupting public transport services. Union leaders said they have already held nearly 58 meetings with the Punjab Government, but none of those discussions resulted in a concrete solution to their demands.

The protesting leaders alleged that instead of resolving their issues, several employees have been booked in police cases and even sent to jail. They maintained that the ongoing protest is peaceful. They warned that if no positive outcome emerges from the scheduled meeting with the Transport Minister at 10 a.m. in Chandigarh, the strike will be extended indefinitely across Punjab.

The contract workers have been demanding permanent employment status, salary parity with regular employees, and other service-related benefits. Despite repeated negotiations with the government, the government claims their demands remain unresolved, prompting the statewide strike.

The future of the agitation now depends on the outcome of the Chandigarh meeting. It remains to be seen whether the government and union representatives can reach an agreement or if the strike will continue indefinitely.