Contractual employees of Punjab Roadways, Punbus, and PRTC have called off their statewide strike that had disrupted public transport for two days. The decision to end the protest came after the Transport Department issued a written assurance accepting several key demands of the approximately 7,500 workers.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that the strike, which began on Sunday midnight, had led to nearly 2,200 Punjab Roadways and PRTC buses remaining off the roads, causing significant inconvenience to commuters across the state. Senior government officials confirmed that bus services were expected to resume normal operations by Tuesday evening.
The Punjab Roadways, Punbus and PRTC Contract Workers Union had initiated the strike to press for long-standing demands. These included the regularisation of employees, the abolition of the outsourcing system for workforce recruitment, and the withdrawal of police cases registered against union members. The latter stemmed from a Kilometre Scheme protest at the Sangrur depot in November of the previous year, which had reportedly turned violent.
A pivotal meeting between union representatives, Transport Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, and senior officials from the Transport Department preceded the resolution. This dialogue successfully ended the deadlock that had severely impacted bus services throughout Punjab.
Following the meeting, the Transport Department officially communicated its decisions regarding the union’s demands. A proposal to regularise Punbus contractual employees by adopting the PRTC Service Rules, 1981, as amended in 2010, is set to be the primary agenda item at the Punbus board of directors meeting scheduled for August 11. This move aims to address the long-term employment security of a significant number of workers.
Furthermore, the department indicated its intention to introduce an Ordinance or Bill during the upcoming monsoon session of the assembly. This legislative measure is designed to bring Punbus and PRTC workers under a direct contract system. The department assured that if any delays occur in the passage of this legislation, appropriate administrative actions would be undertaken at the departmental level to ensure the implementation of the policy.
Regarding the First Information Reports (FIRs) lodged against employees in connection with previous protests, the department stated that the matter would be re-examined in consultation with the Home Department. Necessary action to address these cases is expected to be completed within a one-month timeframe. A subsequent meeting has been scheduled for August 14, involving the Transport Minister and senior officials from the Personnel and Finance Departments, to deliberate and make final decisions on any remaining demands put forth by the union.
Ranjit Singh, a union representative from Jalandhar, noted that approximately 160 buses in the district were immobilized due to the strike. He expressed cautious optimism, stating, “We have called off the strike after the government issued a written assurance on our major demands. We hope the commitments made in the official letter will now be implemented within the promised timeline.” The resolution of this strike marks a significant development in the ongoing dialogue between transport workers and the Punjab government.
The Chenab Times News Desk