TNNLudhiana: The Punjab Roadways, PUNBUS and PRTC Contract Workers Union (25/11) has accused the state govt and transport department management of failing to implement the 15% increase in minimum wages announced on Labour Day, warning of a statewide agitation if the issue remains unresolved.Union state president Resham Singh Gill said although the Punjab govt notified a 15% hike in minimum wages on May 1, contractual employees of Punjab Roadways, PUNBUS and PRTC were yet to receive the benefit. He alleged that the delay had rendered the govt’s announcement meaningless for workers employed on contract.Gill said the union has long been demanding regularisation of contractual employees, but claimed the govt and management were merely delaying the matter. He alleged that contractual workers continue to receive lower wages despite performing duties comparable to those of regular employees and also face stricter service conditions without job security.Union members further claimed that while funds were being spent on various welfare schemes, the concerns of labourers and contractual workers were being ignored.State general secretary Shamsher Singh Dhillon said once the govt had approved the wage revision, the transport management should have implemented it without delay. He also alleged that the govt’s policies were promoting privatisation in the public transport sector at the cost of existing employees.The union warned that if salaries reflecting the revised wages are not released and its pending demands remain unaddressed, it would launch a statewide protest, including transport shutdowns, in the coming days.BlurbUnion leaders claim contractual staff of Punjab Roadways, PUNBUS and PRTC are yet to receive the 15% minimum wage hike announced by the state government in May and have threatened protests if the revision is not implemented.
