Punjab Power Workers Stage Mass Leave, Demand Unmet Agreements

Protests by power sector employees in Punjab have intensified, with union representatives reporting that approximately 90% of workers are on collective leave. This marks a significant increase from the 80% absentee rate observed on the first day of the protests. The agitation, now entering its second day, is led by a coalition of unions including the PSEB Employees Joint Forum, the Electricity Employees Unity Platform Punjab, and the Association of Junior Engineers, among others.

Workers initiated their collective action after submitting a list of demands to management on April 11, 2023. An agreement was reportedly reached on June 2, 2023, during discussions involving the state electricity minister. Despite this, over two months have passed without the fulfillment of the commitments made, prompting the current wave of protests.

Key Demands of the Employees

Union leaders Ratan Singh Majari and Gurpreet Singh Gandwind outlined several key demands driving the protests. These include the regular recruitment of employees to fill thousands of vacant positions, equal pay for workers performing identical roles, and the regularisation of long-serving contractual staff such as meter readers, billing department workers, and cashiers.

Additionally, the unions are advocating for the absorption of temporary workers hired through outsourcing agencies and the removal of a 12% interest clause affecting employees appointed under the solatium policy. They are also seeking resolutions for outstanding issues related to dearness allowances, allowances, revised pay scales, arrears, and the development tax for pensioners.

Response from Government and Management

Union representatives have criticized both the Punjab government and the management of the electricity corporation for adopting a confrontational stance, rather than addressing the workers’ grievances. In response to the slow progress on their demands, employees implemented a work-to-rule policy from June 24, 2023, and held a large-scale protest outside the electricity minister’s residence in Amritsar on July 27, 2023.

The situation reflects growing unrest among power workers in Punjab, who feel their contributions and rights are not being adequately recognized or respected. As the protests continue, the unions remain firm in their resolve to secure a fair and satisfactory resolution to their demands.