State Transport Madurai Workers’ Association has protested the “anti-labour” policies adopted by the transport corporations.
Its members along with their family members staged a demonstration here on Saturday flaying the State Government for not heeding to their demands but increasing the work burden on the workers.
The protestors said that bus crew members were forced to work for a minimum of 10 hours a day as against the rules of 8 hours. Besides, they were compelled to work for extended hours by “cunningly” extending the routes.
Stating that the United Progressive Alliance, in which the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam was a part, had been increasing the price of diesel, the association, affiliated to the Centre for Indian Trade Unions, said that transport Corporation workers were forced to save the fuel in accordance with the diesel price rise.
“Those who could not save diesel were threatened with punishment,” a statement said.
The workers in the maintenance wing were forced to take up more number of night shifts and their shifts were changed according to the whims and fancies of the officials.
CITU district secretary, B. Vickraman, association district secretary, V. Pitchai and president, G. Rajendran, were among those who addressed the protestors.
