Punjab Roadways workers hold massive strike; Demand end to contract system and job regularization
Ferozepur, July 9, 2025: The Punjab Roadways, PUNBUS, and PRTC Contract Workers’ Union (25/11) launched a statewide strike today, bringing transportation services across Punjab to a complete standstill. In Ferozepur, workers staged a massive protest at the bus stand, raising slogans against the government and demanding immediate action on their long-pending demands.
Union leaders, including State President Resham Singh Gill, Depot President Jatinder Singh, and Mukhpal Singh, pointed out that during their time in opposition, political leaders had strongly condemned the contractor system and promised to regularise ( around 7500) all contractual employees. However, despite being in power for over three years, no action has been taken, and exploitation under the contract system persists.
Leaders alleged massive corruption, accusing contractors of embezzling EPF, ESI, and security deposits, while the government remained silent. They claimed new contractors are being hired illegally without agreements, charging hefty bribes for recruitment. They also accused the government of deliberately privatizing transport services, favouring private operators under the Kilometre Scheme, which they said causes huge financial losses to the department.
The Union demanded immediate regularization of all contractual employees, an end to the contractor system, salary parity, and the introduction of more government buses instead of private ones. They alleged that despite repeated protests, meetings, and written complaints, the government has not resolved their issues, forcing them into this complete strike.
The Union announced that a decisive protest would be held tomorrow, July 10, 2025, outside the Punjab Chief Minister’s residence. They warned that if their demands remain unaddressed, the strike could be extended indefinitely, holding the government and management responsible for any disruptions.
Many union workers, including Jasbir Singh, Ajay Kumar, Gurpreet Singh, Ramandeep Singh, Saurav Maini, Gaurav Marok, Harjit Singh, and Gagandeep, participated in the protest.