LAHORE: The Road Transport system in West Pakistan was paralysed when about 300,000 workers of private bus and truck services went on strike for an indefinite period last night [Nov 16] following non-acceptance of their demands. All buses remained at the stand in the morning and did not move. Government transport buses, however, started functioning according to schedule.
The decision by the transport workers to go on a strike was sudden and came as a surprise to the travelling public as on the preceding night the West Pakistan Transport Workers Federation had decided to postpone the strike to Dec 20. A Press release issued by the Federation had also mentioned that the transport workers’ body had decided to serve a fresh notice on the employers before taking such a step. Taxis and rickshaws also disappeared from city roads, creating difficulties for the public.
The President of the Pakistan Transport Workers Union, Mr. Moeenuddin, told a news conference here last night that the workers would continue their strike till their demands had been accepted. He said though the workers’ body had decided to postpone the strike, a large number of drivers disagreed with the decision and went on strike. “Others had to follow them naturally,” he contended.
Published in Dawn, November 18th , 2014
Dear visitor, the comments section is undergoing an overhaul and will return soon.