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Time of India
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Ludhiana workers join Bharat Bandh, demand regularisation, worker friendly policies
Ludhiana: Several labour unions and employee federations in Ludhiana joined the ' Bharat Bandh ', protesting the increasing contractualisation of jobs, the dilution of labour laws, and "anti-worker and pro-corporate" policies of the govt. They demanded the regularisation of contractual workers in the transport sector. Jagtar Singh, general secretary of the PRTC Contract Workers Union, said that PRTC and Punbus staff were observing a three-day strike, highlighting that nearly 7,000 employees in both services continued to work on a contractual basis and faced acute job insecurity. He urged the Punjab govt to immediately abolish the contract system, eliminate middlemen, and regularise all workers. Jagtar Singh said that drivers working under contract are often dismissed arbitrarily, without any serious inquiry or reason, leaving them vulnerable and underpaid after years of work. He also pointed out that the number of govt-run buses was steadily declining while private operators were increasing their fleet across the state. "The state must add at least 10,000 buses to strengthen public transport and stop opening space for private bus operators," he said. Several workers gathered at ISBT and demanded that all workers, including anganwadi and ASHA workers, should be made permanent employees. Hanuman Prasad Dubey, vice-president of the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), Ludhiana, said the replacement of 29 labour laws with just four labour codes has worsened the condition of industrial workers. "These codes were passed without proper consultation and have reduced existing safeguards. Now workers are being pushed to work 12 hours a day instead of 8, and yet the minimum wage has not been revised in the last 13 years," he said, adding that even the current laws that exist are poorly implemented. Commuters bear the brunt Meanwhile, commuters and passengers faced difficulties as less PRTC and Punbuses were in operation due to strike. "I had to go to Chandigarh, but due to the strike I learn, there were no govt buses. So I'm forced to take private bus. Private buses take longer as they stop for longer durations and repeatedly," Gurvinder Singh from Bathinda said. Protest was also held at Samrala Chowk, where workers from multiple unions gathered and raised slogans against the central and state govts. Labour leaders alleged that the policies of both the Modi govt at the Centre and the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab govt were undermining workers' rights, decreasing employment opportunities, and increasing economic inequality. The protest was joined by leaders and workers from various unions, including the Textile Hosiery Kamgar Union, Inquilabi Mazdoor Kendra, Lok Ekta Sangathan, Moulder and Steel Workers Union, Krantikari Mazdoor Centre, and more. Many of them addressed the gathering and criticised what they called the growing nexus between govts and large corporations. They said liberalisation and privatisation policies had left public sector institutions weak, and workers more insecure than ever before. Speakers called for wider resistance against what they described as an attack on constitutional rights, livelihoods, and social welfare systems. Protesters also accused the govt of backing corporate interests and using communal narratives and repression to divide people and suppress democratic dissent. Among the key demands raised by the unions were a minimum wage of Rs 26,000, repeal of the four labour codes, implementation of equal pay for equal work for women, universal ration cards, strengthening of the public distribution system and expansion of government jobs. They also called for loan waivers for workers and small farmers and an end to rising communal tensions. Youth and farmers' organisations, including the Naujawan Bharat Sabha, Bhartiya Kisan Union (Ekta-Ugrahan), Democratic Teachers' Front, and Sangharshsheel Mazdoor Morcha, extended support for the protests.
Hindustan Times
21-06-2025
- Hindustan Times
Ludhiana: Roadways conductor ‘thrashed' by pvt operators; union halts buses
Hundreds of passengers were left stranded at the Ludhiana interstate bus stand on Saturday after contractual workers of the Punjab Roadways abruptly halted bus services for nearly an hour from 2.30 pm to 3.30 pm. The shutdown was prompted in protest against police 'inaction' over an alleged assault on a Roadways conductor — Surendra Kumar — by private bus staff on the bus stand premises. Passengers stranded at Ludhiana bus stand after contractual workers halted the buses during a protest in Ludhiana on Saturday. (Gurpreet Singh/HT) The workers stalled the movement of all buses to and from the terminal during the protest. The sudden disruption triggered traffic chaos outside the bus stand as several buses got stuck in a haphazard manner at the terminal and on adjoining roads, hampering the regular flow of traffic. Shamsher Singh Dhillon, state general secretary of the Punjab Roadways, Punbus and PRTC Contractual Workers' Union, said, 'On Friday night, some private bus staff heading to Delhi assaulted Punjab Roadways conductor Surendra Kumar who was on duty in a Ferozepur depot bus going to Chandigarh.' 'When the bus halted at Ludhiana bus stand at around 9.30 pm, a migrant family, unfamiliar with the city, asked conductor Surendra Kumar for help in boarding a bus as they had to go to Bareilly. While he was assisting them, staff of a private bus tried to forcefully take the family into their Delhi-bound bus. When Kumar resisted, they misbehaved with him and then brutally assaulted him,' he said. A written complaint was submitted to the police station at the bus stand, but the authorities failed to take timely action, Dhillon said, adding that the bus operations were halted at around 2.30 pm on Saturday. Subhash Chandra, in-charge of the bus stand police post, said, 'We received a formal complaint and have summoned both parties. The matter has now been resolved mutually.' When contacted, Navraj Batish, general manager of Punjab Roadways, stated, 'The shutdown took place without any prior notice, despite the police already investigating the issue. Such sudden disruptions cause heavy losses to the government. Whoever is responsible must bear the consequences.' The protest caught daily commuters off guard, leaving many stranded without any alternatives. Shanvi Verma, a CA aspirant from Jagraon, said, 'I travel to Ludhiana daily for my coaching classes. When I reached the bus stand after finishing my classes, I found out that the buses were not operating. I feel stuck with no transport in sight.' Echoing similar sentiments, Harjinder Gill, a commuter heading to Bathinda, said, 'My uncle is hospitalised and I had taken a half-day leave to visit him. My family is alone there. It is absurd that common people like us are forced to bear such inconveniences without any fault.'
Time of India
22-04-2025
- Business
- Time of India
PRTC, Punbus staff announce two-hour strike tomorrow
Patiala: Amid non-clearance of dues of PRTC by the govt, the contractual employees of PRTC and Punbus have decided to go on strike on Thursday for two hours. This decision follows the govt's failure to clear the dues of March salary for employees, who were allegedly paid only half of their salary for March, with the remaining amount yet to be cleared. Due to the Punjab govt's failure to provide funds for free travel, employees have received only 50% of their salaries, with the month nearing its end and no hope for the remaining 50%, according to union leader Harkesh Kumar Vicky. The Punjab Roadways and Punbus Contract Workers Union on Tuesday claimed that due to the non-release of approximately Rs 600 crore from the govt, employees have been put in distress as they have received only half their salaries. "Employees are repeatedly demanding their dues, especially since they need to pay their children's school fees and purchase wheat for the year. The transport department, which earns revenue daily, is facing difficulties because of the govt's failure to release funds, leaving employees in financial hardship. The govt has not released funds for almost six months, causing severe problems. The delay reflects the govt's intention to wind down the department," said union leader Harkesh Kumar. "The govt is promoting large-scale exploitation by introducing kilometre scheme buses, benefiting the private mafia by exceeding tender conditions. There is no clarity on when departmental buses will operate, as the govt is allowing private buses to profit, even though departmental buses are purchased with bank loans repaid by the hard work of temporary employees. These temporary employees are being ignored by the govt and management. In PRTC, departmental buses are not operational, and private mafia is being encouraged, while existing buses are not receiving spare parts," said another union member. . by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo They said that the govt, which promised to regularise temporary employees, is hiring more temporary workers, which the union strongly opposes. "If the govt and management do not deposit the remaining salaries into workers' accounts on time, all PRTC bus stands will be closed on 24 April 2025, for two hours, for which the govt and management will be responsible," the union said. PRTC Cchairman Ranjodh Singh Hadana could not be contacted for comments. MSID:: 120523377 413 |
