Transport workers commence 24-hour dharna
Transport workers in Tirunelveli have launched a 24-hour protest to demand better financial support for the transport corporation and improved employment conditions. Key demands include direct operation of electric buses by the state and the regularization of pension and recruitment policies.
Why it matters
The protest underscores the financial struggles of public transport systems and the labor disputes arising from privatization efforts.
The transport workers’ 24-hour-long dharna in front of the General Manager’s Office in Vannarpet commenced on Tuesday.
Led by D. Kamaraj, president of CITU, Tirunelveli, the protesting transport workers raised slogans to highlight their demands.
Inaugurating the agitation, S. Jothi, general secretary, CITU, said the Tamil Nadu Government should bridge the financial gap between the transport corporation’s revenue and expenditure as the State Government was rendering public transportation as ‘service’ to the public at much lower cost. Instead of operating the electric buses through private operators, the transport department itself should operate these buses directly.
Pension should be given to all the transport workers who joined the service after April 1, 2003. Compassionate ground appointments to the wards of the late workers should be based on their educational qualifications.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in