KSRTC strike: Govt claims services unaffected; protesters block bus in TVM

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Thiruvananthapuram: KSRTC workers, led by the Transport Democratic Federation (TDF), a coalition of INTUC-affiliated trade unions, are observing a 24-hour strike on Tuesday, raising various demands, including timely salary disbursement. The government claimed that the majority of bus services were operational, as arrangements were made to counter the strike. However, services were reportedly interrupted in several depots, including Malappuram, Ponnani, Nilambur, and Perinthalmanna.
Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) Chairman and Managing Director invoked a dies-non against the strike. According to official reports, temporary staff, including Swift employees, were deployed to operate the services from Monday midnight.
Meanwhile, protesters blocked a KSRTC bus at the Thampanoor depot. In visuals aired on news channels, a KSRTC worker was seen sitting in front of an AC bus.
“Around 60 per cent of the permanent KSRTC workers are participating in the strike. Only temporary workers and members of left-wing trade unions are on duty, he told media.
Manorama News reported that the protesting workers will lay a siege to the Assistant Transport Officer’s office in Thampanoor.
The key demands of the protesting employees include the timely distribution of pensions, halting the privatisation of nationalised routes, issuing a government order to implement the wage revision agreement, and distributing special allowances to drivers.