TSRTC MD Sunil Sharma calls striking workers rejoining work as 'unacceptable'

Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) Managing Director, Sunil Sharma, while talking about the vast spread protests, said that the announcement by the striking employees of the corporation to rejoin work is "ridiculous and unacceptable". In an official statement that came in on Monday, Sharma said, "Nowhere in any Public Sector Undertaking in the country do workers and employees abstain from duties and join their duties at their whims and fancies. It has never happened nor can it be accepted."

'Ridiculous decision'

He added, "The announcement of RTC Joint Action Committee that they will be joining duties from tomorrow (Tuesday) is ridiculous. On one hand, they say they will continue the strike and on the other, they say they will join duties." The MD also said that the employees have abstained from duties on their own. "They went on an illegal and illogical strike during important festivals like Bathukamma, Dussera and Deepavali and have caused immense inconvenience to the people," he said.

READ | TSRTC employees call off nearly two-month-old strike

Sharma further said that the management will act based on the directives of the Labour Commissioner, who will, in turn, take a decision on the strike as per the directives of the High Court. "Everything will be done in tune with the existing Laws and Acts. Till then, everyone should maintain restraint. Till the process as suggested by the High Court is completed, workers who are on illegal strike cannot be taken back on duties," he said, while also adding to his statement, "Workers have incurred losses by listening to the union's words. Workers should not suffer further believing the words of the union. We request them not to go to the RTC depots tomorrow and create law and order issues."

READ | TSRTC employees' unions to intensify stir

Talking about the security measures that the organization will now take, he said that cameras will be installed at all the RTC depots and the state government will not tolerate anyone who breaks the law and order situation. This comes after the striking employees on Monday called off their nearly two-month-old strike, during which time at least five RTC employees committed suicide. The employees had been protesting since October 5 over several demands, including revision of pay.

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(With ANI Inputs)