ESMA Invoked But Transport Union Federation Calls For Strike From July 29
Their demands include equal pay on par with State government employees, pending wage revision from January 2020, holding elections to employees’ unions and withdrawal of cases against transport employees over strike of 2020 and 2021. As many as 1.15 lakh employees discharge their duties in four Transport Corporations of the State
BENGALURU: While the State Government invoked Essential Services Maintenance Act, 2013 prohibiting strike in essential services in Road Transport Corporations but an undeterred Karnataka Rajya Sariga Nalku Nigamala Sanghathnegala Okkuta (Federation of four Transport Unions) have called for an indefinite hunger strike from July 29 pressing the State Government to fulfil their demands.
Their demands include equal pay on par with State government employees, pending wage revision from January 2020, holding elections to employees’ unions and withdrawal of cases against transport employees over strike of 2020 and 2021. As many as 1.15 lakh employees discharge their duties in four Transport Corporations of the State.
The State Government on Thursday invoked Essential Services Maintenance Act, 2013 prohibiting strike in following Essential Services in the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation, Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation, North Western Karnataka Road Transport Corporation and Kalyana Karnataka Road Transport Corporation with effect from July 1 to December 31 this year.
Meanwhile, Karnataka Rajya Raste Sarige Nigmagala Karmika Sangthanegala Janti Kriya Samiti have also called for strike from August 5 to get their demands conceded from the State Government and also to oppose anti-labour policies.
A note from Karnataka Rajya Sariga Nalku Nigamala Sanghathnegala Okkuta on Friday stated ‘Shakti’ scheme of the State Government to allow free travel for women in State owned buses across the State has been a huge success and owing to efforts of Transport employees, the popularity of the Congress ruled State Government grew. The note also pointed to the 500th crore rides under ‘Shakti’ scheme.
Explaining the reasons for the Federation to go on strike in fulfillment of their demands, the note stated the Congress ruled State Government came to power two-and-half years but the demands of the Transport employees are yet to be conceded.
Though, the note said, several rounds of meetings were held including the latest meeting held on July 4 remained inconclusive while the cost of living has gone up in recent days including prices of essential commodities, meeting education expenses of children among others.
The strike in Bengaluru city will be held at Freedom Park on January 29 while Transport employees in districts will stage a strike in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office.
