One-day strike has partial impact in Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh

CHANDIGARH: Public transport was partially affected in Punjab, Haryana and UT Chandigarh as workers' union today joined the one-day nationwide strike call given by ten central trade unions, protesting against changes in labour laws.

Bank customers faced inconvenience as employees of public sector banks excluding SBI were also on strike today.

Public transport at several places in Haryana was affected as employees of Haryana Roadways also went on strike.

Under the banner of Haryana Roadways Employees' Union, protesting employees even held rallies and demonstration at various places in the state.

Sarbat Punia, a representative of Haryana Roadways Employees' Union yesterday said that about 4,000 buses would remain off the road today.

A report from Hisar said that a large number of passengers were stranded in Hisar, Hansi, Uklana, Barwala, Adampur and other bus stands as the vehicles remained off the road.

Commuters had to face a lot of difficulties, though private buses plied as usual, report said.

In Punjab, several employees of Pepsu Road Transport Corporation (PRTC) also held protest at various places in the state, agitating against vacant posts and outsourcing policies of the state government.

The impact of one-day strike in Ludhiana, the industrial hub of Punjab was also visible as workers owing allegiance to various trade unions took out protest rallies in the city.

Industrialists said though factories remained opened, the attendance of labour in the units was thin, which could impact overall industrial production.

However, shops, markets and commercial complexes in Chandigarh were open.Strike had a partial impact as employees of Chandigarh Transport were on strike though taxis and auto rickshaws were plying in the Union Territory.

However, electricity supply remained normal in Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh, though a large number of employees of electricity departments are participating in the strike.

Meanwhile, banking services in public sector banks in Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh were also hit because of one-day strike. However, private sector banks remained opened.

Bank unions such as AIBEA, AIBOA, BEFI, INBOC, NOBW, INBEF and NOBO are participating in the strike, said Punjab Bank Employees Federation, Secretary Naresh Gaur.