State transport corporation workers demand hike in salaries

Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation Staff and Workers’ Federation on Monday charged that the managements of the four transport corporations in the state have been following anti-employee policies and sought measures to end the “harassment”.

Federation Joint Secretary S Nagaraju said the Industrial Tribunal’s order on August 29 has instructed to create new pay grades, hike in various allowances and payment of advance during festivals among other benefits. “In effect, the order provides for 20% hike in pay. But the transport corporations have been violating the order,” he charged. “All allowances given to government employees should be provided to workers in RTCs. Every bus depot should have canteen, accident insurance, legal aid of Rs 5,000,” he added.

Seeking an investigation into the anti-labour policies and the financial matters of the corporations since 1997, he said officials, who are found to have violated the rules, should be prosecuted. The federation placed several demands and urged the management to stop taking unilateral decisions. It said discussions should be held with the federation and decisions should be taken after arriving at a consensus, he urged.