Transport unions in Ludhiana and four other states plan protests against privatisation of state-run transport services, citing job security and accessibility concerns.
Transport Employees from Five States Plan Joint Protest
Transport department employees from Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand have announced a joint protest. They oppose policies they believe weaken state-run transport services. A national meeting will take place in Chandigarh on January 12 to plan the protest and protect public transport employees’ rights.
| Date | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| January 3 | Union Meeting | Video Conference |
| January 12 | National Meeting | Chandigarh |
During a meeting on January 3, unions discussed the effects of state government policies on transport employees and public transport services. Senior leaders from unions representing Punjab Roadways, Punbus, PRTC, Haryana Roadways, Himachal Roadways, Uttar Pradesh Roadways, and Uttarakhand Roadways attended the video conference.
Union leaders criticized the Punjab government for actions against contractual employees of Punbus and PRTC. They claimed that notices were issued and criminal cases were registered without justification. The unions demanded the immediate withdrawal of these notices and cases.
The Himachal Pradesh government faced criticism for not releasing salaries for HRTC employees for several months. Leaders stated that repeated requests had not resolved the pending issues for transport workers. Similarly, unions claimed that the Haryana government had ignored the demands of Haryana Roadways employees for the past four years.
Union leaders expressed concern about the increasing push for privatization of government-run transport services across the country. They argued that privatization threatens job security, raises costs for commuters, and reduces public transport accessibility. They called for this issue to be treated as a national concern.
The unions plan to create a collective protest strategy to oppose privatization, protect government transport services, and advocate for the rights of both permanent and contractual employees. Leaders emphasized that coordinated action is crucial to protect workers’ interests and ensure the ongoing operation of public transport.
