Ludhiana: Accusing the Punjab govt of backtracking on promises to regularise contractual staff and absorb outsourced workers, the Punjab Roadways, PUNBUS and PRTC Contract Workers Union has announced a series of statewide protests, culminating in a three-day strike starting Nov 16.The decision was taken at a state-level meeting held at Isru Bhawan, where depot representatives resolved to intensify their agitation against the government’s failure to act on assurances given during a recent meeting with the transport minister and key departmental officials.Union leaders stated that the govt had promised to present PUNBUS service rules for approval to pave the way for regularising contractual staff, bring outsourced employees under the contractual framework within two days, withdraw cases filed against workers during past protests, and form a committee to examine newly recruited staff. However, none of these commitments have been implemented.“The govt is misleading employees by repeatedly giving assurances during meetings without implementing them,” said state general secretary Shamsher Singh Dhillon.As part of the agitation schedule, union members will hold a protest in Dirba on November 5, oppose Punjab govt political rallies after Nov 8, and conduct gate rallies outside all state bus depots on Nov 10, preceding the three-day strike from Nov 16.State president Resham Singh Gill and senior vice-president Harkesh Kumar Vicky warned that if the govt fails to resolve their demands before the agitation begins, the union will escalate the action into an indefinite, complete strike.The union’s core demands include the immediate issuance of orders to bring outsourced workers under the contractual system, cabinet approval of PUNBUS service rules, and the complete withdrawal of cases registered against protesting workers.
