Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru/Mangaluru

Bengaluru/Mangaluru, July 27: In a bid to press for various long-pending demands, including wage revision and release of 36 months’ arrears, the joint action committee of KSRTC workers’ unions has called for a hunger strike at Freedom Park in Bengaluru on July 30.

The Mangaluru division of the KSRTC employees and retirees coordination committee has extended its support to the protest.

Speaking at a press conference on Saturday, president of the KSRTC staff and workers union (AITUC), Praveen Kumar, said that if their demands are not met, workers will launch an indefinite strike from August 5. He alleged that the government, while offering free travel to passengers, still owes around Rs 2,800 crore to transport corporations. This has affected the salary hikes of working employees, he said.

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Even after hiking ticket fares by 15%, the government has not released Rs 1,750 crore due to active and retired employees, which has caused hardship to the staff, he added. Union leaders Jayaram Shetty, Manohar Shetty, Dinesh C H, Santappa Poojary, Parameshwara, and Vijayakumar were present.

Transport minister Ramalinga Reddy said a meeting with chief minister Siddaramaiah would be held soon in view of the indefinite strike call given by transport workers from August 5.

Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, he said the workers are demanding pay parity with government employees and release of 38 months of arrears. The chief minister has taken note of the strike threat and will convene a meeting shortly. A suitable decision will be taken after that, he said.

The minister clarified that ESMA has not been newly imposed on transport employees. “It has always been in place and is renewed every six months,” he added.