Delhi govt to consult labour department on wage demands of striking DTC drivers

Delhi Transport Minister Pankaj Singh has directed officials that the labour department be consulted on the issue of protesting DTC drivers’ salaries, a senior government official said on Monday.

For the past six days, drivers working with private companies hired by the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) for its electric buses have been on strike demanding a hike in daily wages with the implementation of a basic dearness allowance (DA), medical facilities and overtime payment.

“Based on the set of demands submitted by the drivers on strike, the labour department has been asked to give its opinion on the issue related to their daily wages and what the existing labour laws state in this regard,” the senior government official said.

Last week, the transport minister held a meeting with drivers and private company representatives, where the protesters raised the salary issue.

“As the ongoing strike is causing discomfort to passengers, the government is trying to find a solution,” the official added.

The DTC Karamachari Ekta Union has threatened to launch a complete ‘kaam band’ agitation from September 28, over non-implementation of basic DA for DTC contract employees and submitted a letter to the Chief Minister’s and the Delhi LG Office.

“For the past two years, the file regarding basic DA of DTC employees has been pending with you; it is also been passed from the DTC Board and is with the finance department. Our demands are — implement the basic DA immediately, and secondly, private drivers operating DTC buses should be taken on the corporation’s payroll with immediate effect,” the letter said.

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According to the drivers and conductors, they are paid Rs 862 per day, of which Rs 60 goes towards provident fund, leaving them with the remaining amount.

Drivers said the strike continued, as private companies had not given them assurances regarding a hike in salaries.

Currently, there are around 6,500 total DTC buses in the city; out of these, 5,088 are electric buses, all of which are operated by private drivers.