With employees of Karnataka State Road Transport Corporations (KSRTC) set to launch an indefinite strike from August 5, the state government has issued an advisory to minimise disruptions to daily life.
In preparation, private IT companies, especially those in Bengaluru, have been urged to facilitate work-from-home (WFH) arrangements for their staff. This recommendation, issued by Transport Department Principal Secretary Dr N.V. Prasad, was addressed to the Department of IT on August 2, asking them to relay the advisory to concerned firms.
The strike, called by the Joint Action Committee of Transport Unions, stems from unresolved demands:
- Payment of 38 months’ pending salary arrears worth ₹1,785 crore.
- A 25% pay hike effective from January 1, 2024.
While Chief Minister Siddaramaiah proposed a partial settlement of ₹718 crore, covering 14 months of dues, the offer was rejected by unions. The employees argue that the 25% salary increase is justified and should be valid until 2027.
Despite a Karnataka High Court order prohibiting the protest, transport workers from KSRTC and other state-run services have decided to go on strike starting 6 AM, August 5, severely impacting bus operations across Karnataka, including Bengaluru.
The government has stated that the full financial demand is difficult to meet, considering that state transport bodies are already facing ₹4,000 crore in debt. Authorities had earlier granted a 15% hike from March 2023.