The Tamil Nadu bus strike has entered the eighth day and commuters continue to struggle to reach places. The strike called in by the Transport Unions are demanding a pay hike but the Government is yet to comply.
Although the Transport Department made attempts to hire temporary bus drivers to resume services in the State, most of the buses remained stationery. It has been reported that while the Statewide strike went on, special buses were arranged for the MLAs to travel.
The Madras High Court on Wednesday requested the Tamil Nadu Transport Corporations to consider putting off the strike in view of the Pongal harvest festival. A division bench with Justices S. Manikumar and M. Govindaraj asked the Trade Unions Counsel to inform their decision in Court today.
The bench earlier made the proposal that the Government would work towards its suggested wage hike of 2.44%. But the transport workers have been arguing for 0.13% more than the Government is offering. The Government attempted to make a settlement and offered the workers a proposal. The proposal stated the workers would resume work once the 2.44% hike is implemented. Following this, the remaining 0.13% further wage hike and other issues will be heard based on merits.
But the Counsel appearing for the Trade Unions refused the proposal. The bench went on to leave it to the conscience of the Trade Unions. The bench was quoted saying, “We are making this suggestion in the larger interest of the public. Till Pongal festival, public should not suffer. We leave it to your conscience.” The Counsel confirmed a response would be provided today.
As the transport workers fight for a pay hike, the TN Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami tabled a bill suggesting a pay hike for legislators on Wednesday.
The Opposition mocked this move including Leader of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam M.K. Stalin. Stalin stated, “People will laugh at us for this hike when transport workers in the State are on strike, demanding a salary hike.”
The Tamil Nadu Payment of Salaries (Amendment) Bill states the monthly salary for MLAs will increase from Rs. 55,000 to Rs. 1.05 lakh. This includes a pension hike from Rs. 12,000 to Rs. 20,000.
