Ludhiana Transport Minister to hold talks with Roadways Unions on pending demands on October 22

In Ludhiana, union leaders such as Resham Singh Gill and Harminder Singh voiced frustration over the lack of progress on promises made by the government. They noted that the chief minister had assured that the workers' issues would be resolved by July 2024, but no concrete steps have been taken so far. The unions met on Saturday to discuss the situation, with concerns growing among members of the Punjab Roadways/Punbus Contract Workers’ Union and the State Transport Workers’ Union.

ALSO READ: Ludhiana house blast injures three, including two children, in tragic accident

ALSO READ: Punjab Law Varsity VC faces protests over alleged privacy violations during inspection

Meeting with Transport Minister scheduled

A critical meeting between Transport Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar and the unions representing contract workers of Punjab Roadways, Punbus, and PRTC has been scheduled for October 22. The official letter confirming this meeting was released by Punbus Management Company Limited, Chandigarh. This meeting is expected to discuss the ongoing issues, including the regularisation of contract workers and addressing other long-standing demands.

Shamsher Singh, the general secretary of the unions, said that an earlier strike planned for October 21 was postponed following a meeting with the transport minister on October 16. At that meeting, the minister asked for more time to resolve the issues.

The unions have warned that if their demands are not met after the October 22 meeting, they will resume strikes and protests. According to Harminder Singh, head of the PRTC Union in Patiala, these actions could include opposing the upcoming by-elections and intensifying their demonstrations across the state if no satisfactory outcome is reached.