BENGALURU: Most public buses run through Karnataka are off the roads for the second day in a row Saturday as drivers and drivers continue their strike.
BMTC He operated few hours in the morning and management is still in talks with staff trying to convince them to report to work. However, most of the employees decided to join the indefinite strike. “Some employees are willing to work, but others are threatened by strike. Most of the vehicles do not leave the depots,” said a BMTC official.
So far, only 11 buses in Mangaluru and one in Chitradurga have left the depots.
The main demands of the employees are that they be put on the government payroll, provided with the same privileges and incentives as government employees, and 30 lakh rupee compensation to transportation workers who died during Covid service.
Sources said the government can invoke Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) if the strike is not canceled. To reduce public hardship in the city, BMRCL will operate its 50 trains during peak and off-peak hours starting Saturday.
Farmers protesting the new farm laws have also extended their support to transport personnel. More than 1.2 lakh workers are employed with KSRTC, BMTC, NEKRTC and NWKRTC.
.
