Delhi commuters may face a tough time as nearly 11,286 contractual drivers and conductors of the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) buses called a day-long strike on Monday, October 29, demanding restoration of their original wages that were slashed by the DTC after a court order. In addition, the employees demanded for the implementation of same work same pay policy, besides the immediate purchase of new buses.
Various trade unions and workers organisations have extended their support to this Strike. Reportedly, DTC Contractual Workers Union and DTC Workers Unity Centre were also said to be participating in the strike.
Also read: DTC workers’ strike on while govt agrees to restore old wages
The government has said that it has restored the minimum wage rates which had been prevailing before August 4, 2018 and had also withdrawn the orders for reducing the minimum wage. However, The employees continued to go ahead with the strike in spite of the Delhi government’s move to the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA), which prohibits them from protesting for the next six months.
“Delhi government has restored our previous wages, but we do not agree to these and want same pay for same work, we also want that those terminated from their service be restored,” said Manoj Sharma, working president DTC contractual employees’ union. “Till our demands are met, our protests will continue indefinitely,” he said.
On September 25th and 28th, a voting was conducted over the issue of equal pay for work, taking back the circular on the reduction of salary, and say no to private buses, across all the DTC depots in the national capital. Almost 98.2% of workers voted in the favour of holding the strike.
Also read: DTC workers strike on October 29 add more worries to Delhi commuters
