Chandigarh: Thousands of commuters across Punjab are expected to face disruptions on Wednesday as contractual staff of Punjab Roadways and PRTC announced a two-hour strike from 12 pm to 2 pm. The protest, driven by non-payment of August wages, is likely to keep nearly 3,000 buses parked at depots.
The agitation has been called by the Punjab Roadways, Punbus and PRTC Contractual Workers Union, representing around 7,500 outsourced employees—4,000 with PRTC and another 3,500 with Punjab Roadways.
Union leaders said that salaries, which used to arrive in the first week of every month, have now been repeatedly delayed. “It’s been more than two weeks into September and our pay for August is still pending,” said Shamsher Singh Dhillon, the union’s state general secretary. “Many workers can’t even manage rent or school fees, especially in regions already reeling under floods.”
The union recalled that a similar strike on August 8 had forced the release of dues just ahead of Rakshabandhan. “Authorities act only after we take to the streets. This cannot continue,” Dhillon remarked.
Vice-president Harkesh Kumar Vicky blamed the crisis on delayed reimbursements for the government’s free travel scheme, saying dues of over ₹600 crore remain stuck with the social security and women and child development department.
Meanwhile, PRTC chairman Ranjodh Singh Hadana assured that payments are on the way. “The process has already been initiated and employees will receive their pending salaries by 11 am Wednesday,” he said.
Union members, however, have warned that if delays persist, their agitation could intensify in the coming weeks.
