State transport minister Snehasish Chakraborty on Monday urged striking contract workers of South Bengal State Transport Corporation (SBSTC) to get back to work immediately. He assured that their demand to get 26 days’ work in a month would be met.
The contract workers on strike said they will lift the agitation only if they get a written assurance.
“I have spoken to the SBSTC management to ensure that you (striking contract workers) get 26 days of work in a month,” Chakraborty said, at the Bagdogra airport in Siliguri, addressing the workers in front of the media.
Urging the striking drivers and their assistants to join work immediately as the unavailability of SBSTC buses during the Durga Puja season is affecting a large number of people in southern West Bengal, the minister said their demands over leave and holidays would be discussed after puja.
He added that he would try to solve the issues raised by the striking workers within the parameters of the law.
“We want an assurance from the management about meeting our demands before taking a call on withdrawing the agitation,” said a leader of the striking workers.
The minister, however, sounded a warning to the strikers that the transport department may contemplate action if the agitation is not withdrawn.
The contract workers went on strike on September 22 with several demands, including same pay for same work as the permanent staff of SBSTC.
The strike has affected bus transportation in south Bengal districts, including services to and from Kolkata.
