Haryana: Angry over BJP govt policy, state transport workers to strike on Oct 16, 17

Haryana Roadways Workers Union have called for a two-day strike in the state on October 16 & 17 over the issue of hiring of over 700 private buses by State Transport Department.

Criticising the state government decision, Union's State President said, “Govt's decision is against public and employees' interest. We won't let the government go ahead with this.”

Leaders of Haryana Roadways Workers Union said that the roadways employees will hold chakka jam at all depots in Haryana on October 16-17 despite the imposition of Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) in the state.

The State Government and roadways employees’ unions had been at loggerheads since a long time over the issue of hiring of over 700 private buses by the State Transport Department.

On August 30, Haryana Government had imposed ESMA to prevent the one-day strike of roadways unions from taking place on September 5. Following ESMA enforcement, the strike call given by roadways unions had fizzled out.

Earlier on August 7, commuters were inconvenienced when roadways’ employees had taken part in a nationwide strike for the amendments to the Motor Vehicle Act. Around 4000 buses of Haryana roadways had remained off the roads on that day.

As per the Transport Department, Haryana roadways have been able to cater to only 12.5 lakh of the about 33 lakh daily commuters.