Worker strike halts bus services in Paduvankarai

[TamilNet, Friday, 02 January 2004, 14:25 GMT]
Strike by employees of New Eastern Bus company which runs bus services between Paduvankarai and other areas West of Kaluvanchikudi has brought severe hardship to passengers who regularly use the service. Workers complain that they have not been paid wages for the past two months and until their get their pay check they will continue to strike, striking workers said.

Nearly 110 workers are on strike according to sources.

Of the 26 buses owned by the private company, 19 are not in service due to lack of spare parts. The company owner said he is temporarily short of cash as the revenue from running the seven servicable buses is insufficient to support the company pay roll. He added that he is taking necessary measures to have his employees paid.

Sources also said that Bus companies operating in Trincomalee and Amparai region also have been falling behind in paying their employees in time.

"The Ministry of Transport does not take any action on the owners when the employees are treated unfairly, complained a representative of Transportation Workers Union.