Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru
Bengaluru, May 18: Karnataka is staring at a major public transport disruption after employees of the state-run transport corporations announced an indefinite strike from May 20, setting the stage for a showdown between workers’ unions and the state government.
The joint action committee of transport employees’ unions has called for the strike and protest demanding fulfilment of long-pending service and wage-related demands.
If the agitation goes ahead as planned, bus services operated by all four state transport corporations, including Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) and Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC), are likely to be severely affected from Wednesday, May 20, onwards, causing inconvenience to lakhs of commuters across the state.
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The transport employees have remained firm on their demand for a 25% wage revision and release of 38 months of salary arrears. However, the Karnataka government has so far agreed only to a 12.5% wage hike and has released Rs 450 crore as the first instalment towards 26 months of pending arrears.
Union leaders have expressed strong dissatisfaction over the government’s proposal and made it clear that the strike will not be withdrawn unless their demands are fully met.
Amid mounting tension, the state government has issued a stern warning to transport employees against participating in the strike. Staff members have been directed not to join the agitation or extend any form of support to the protest.
The government has also cautioned employees that strict disciplinary action would be initiated against those remaining absent from duty. Authorities have informed staff that the “No Work, No Pay” rule will be enforced from May 20 for employees who fail to report to work.
Akram Pasha, managing director of KSRTC, has reportedly instructed senior officials to ensure that bus services do not come to a halt during the proposed strike. In a series of stringent directives, officials have been told not to sanction leave to employees and to take immediate steps to prevent disruption to public transport services.
The instructions further state that employees remaining absent from duty should face “No Work, No Pay” action. In emergency situations, officials have also been authorised to cancel weekly offs and deploy staff compulsorily for operational duties.
The government has additionally pointed out that the strike notice submitted by the joint action committee of labour unions is currently under conciliation before the State Labour Commissioner. Citing provisions under the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, the government maintained that employees of “public utility service institutions” are prohibited from resorting to strikes while conciliation proceedings are in progress.
Authorities have appealed to transport corporation employees to refrain from participating in the proposed indefinite strike and continue attending their daily duties “in the interest of the people of the state”.
Officials have further warned that disciplinary proceedings would be initiated against employees violating the special directives issued by the administration.