Contractual employees of Punjab Roadways and Pepsu Road Transportation Corporation (PRTC) launched a three-day strike today, that is, 6 January, 2025. The strike left thousands of commuters stranded across bus stands statewide.
The employees have demanded regularisation of their jobs and better pay.
Approximately 2,800 buses of Punjab Roadways and PRTC remained off the roads as nearly 8,000 contractual workers joined the strike. Demonstrations were staged at all 27 bus depots in Punjab, amplifying the call for job security and salary hikes.
The employees have long demanded the regularisation of their jobs, improved salaries, and other benefits. Despite a recent meeting between the union and Punjab Transport Minister, no agreement was reached, prompting the workers to proceed with their protest.
As part of their agitation, the protesters announced plans to march to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s residence on Tuesday, 7 January, to intensify their demands.
The strike has significantly impacted public transportation, with thousands of commuters left waiting for buses at depots and bus stands. Many rely on these services for daily travel, and the disruption has caused widespread inconvenience.
The three-day strike highlights the pressing concerns of contractual employees and the growing need for dialogue between the government and the workforce to resolve the impasse.
