Bus services across Punjab were significantly disrupted on Monday as contractual employees of Punjab Roadways, Punbus, and the Punjab Road Transport Corporation (PRTC) initiated a statewide strike. The industrial action led to buses being taken off the roads in numerous towns, causing considerable inconvenience to daily commuters, including office-goers, students, and workers.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that the strike particularly impacted transport operations in Phagwara, Goraya, Phillaur, Nakodar, Banga, and Nawanshahr. Passengers arriving at bus stands found services severely curtailed, with many resorting to private transport options or postponing their travel plans due to the scarcity of public buses. The disruption extended to inter-town travel, exacerbating delays and leading to overcrowding on the limited number of buses still in service.
The strike, which commenced at 10 am, was spearheaded by members of the PRTC/PUNBUS Contract Workers Union in Kapurthala, under the leadership of district president Gurpreet Singh Pannu. The union’s demands centre on the regularisation of contractual employees, the discontinuation of the kilometre-based bus scheme, and an end to the practice of outsourcing transport operations. These demands have been pending resolution, leading to the current industrial action.
Officials indicated that the strike affected approximately 70 to 80 per cent of the bus services operating within Kapurthala district. Out of a total of 96 buses managed by the depot, only 12 buses, operated by regular employees, were operational during the course of the strike. To ensure public safety and maintain order, police personnel were stationed at the Phagwara Bus Stand as a precautionary measure.
Authorities reported that the situation remained peaceful throughout the day, with no significant protests or untoward incidents reported in the affected areas. The developments were being closely monitored by relevant departments. The ongoing strike highlights the persistent issues surrounding contract labour in public transport sectors and the demands for better employment security and service conditions.
The Punjab government has faced similar labour disputes in the past, often related to the regularization of contract workers across various departments. The state’s transport sector, a critical component of public infrastructure, frequently becomes a focal point for such industrial actions due to the large number of contractual staff employed. The demands for regularisation are often rooted in the perceived job insecurity and disparity in wages and benefits compared to permanent employees.
The kilometre-based bus scheme, another key demand of the striking workers, refers to a policy where private operators are paid based on the distance their buses cover. Unions argue that this system can lead to exploitation and a lack of accountability, particularly concerning maintenance and driver welfare. They advocate for a more direct operational model managed by the state transport corporations themselves.
The outsourcing of services further fuels concerns among contractual workers, who fear that it undermines the public sector’s role and creates a precarious employment landscape. They seek to ensure that core transport functions remain under the direct purview of the government-run corporations, with fair employment practices for all involved.
The disruption caused by the strike is likely to have a ripple effect, impacting the daily routines of thousands of citizens and potentially affecting economic activities in the region. The resolution of such labour disputes often requires extensive dialogue between the striking unions, transport department officials, and the state government to address the underlying grievances and find mutually agreeable solutions.
The duration of the strike and its potential escalation will depend on the response from the Punjab government and the progress of negotiations between the authorities and the PRTC/PUNBUS Contract Workers Union. Commuters are advised to stay informed about the status of bus services through official channels and make alternative travel arrangements if necessary.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
