Punjab govt announces 5% salary hike for PUNBUS contract workers

PTC Web Desk: The Punjab Government has approved a 5% salary hike for contract workers employed with PUNBUS. This increase will be applicable only to those who complete one year of service by November 1, 2024. The official order in this regard has been issued by the government, and it is set to take effect from this month.

The wage revision will benefit bus drivers, conductors, and employees working in workshops. Workers had been demanding a salary increase for a long time, citing difficulties in managing household expenses with their current wages. The issue had been raised multiple times through strikes, prompting the management to bring the proposal to the Board of Directors. The proposal was unanimously approved at the meeting, and the order has been forwarded to seven relevant departments.

In another development, a meeting between the Punjab Roadways, PUNBUS , and PRTC Contract Workers' Union, led by Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar, resulted in an agreement to formulate a policy for making employees permanent under service regulations. The file will be sent to the Punjab Advocate General for legal review. Following a meeting with the Transport Minister and senior officials on January 25, another round of discussions will be held with the Union on February 3 to finalise the policy in accordance with legal provisions.