Citing unfulfilled government assurances over pending demands, the Punjab Roadways, PUNBUS and PRTC Contract Workers Union on Sunday announced a three-day strike starting November 16. The union also warned of an indefinite statewide strike if authorities fail to resolve their grievances.
State president Resham Singh Gill and founder Kamal Kumar stated that during a high-level meeting on October 29 involving the transport minister and officials from the personnel, finance, and home departments, several assurances had been given regarding employee welfare.
However, union representatives alleged that no action has been taken so far. Authorities had also agreed to convert outsourced employees into contractual staff within two days under the legislative act dated August 14, 2026. Outlining their upcoming agitation schedule, the union said workers will participate in a protest at Dirba on November 5 under the banner of the Contract Workers Struggle Front. Followed by opposition to the Punjab government’s political rallies after November 8, rallies outside transport depots across the state on November 10, and protests outside the residences of the chief minister and the transport minister. Resham Singh Gill warned that if demands remain unresolved, employees will launch an indefinite strike from November 16.
The government had promised to place PUNBUS service rules before the cabinet for approval to pave the way for regularising contractual workers, according to union leaders. Union leaders Harikesh Kumar Vicky, Baljinder Singh, and Jalore Singh said employees would no longer accept assurances, alleging that the state government and transport department management were responsible for the trouble.
