PSPCL Contract Employees’ Strike in Punjab.

PSPCL Contract Employees’ Strike in Punjab: Sit-in outside Power Minister’s house starting today; Power Supply to be Affected.

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Beginning today, Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) contract workers have gone on an indefinite strike. A pakka dharna, or permanent, indefinite sit-in, has been declared by the staff to begin today outside Power Minister Sanjeev Arora’s residence. At 11 AM, contract workers from all over Punjab will start the sit-in.

Since these employees are in charge of resolving PowerCom’s complaints, it is anticipated that the strike will have an impact on the power supply. The Strike’s Context and Upcoming Announcements
Following the October 28th protest, the Ludhiana administration set a meeting for November 6th. On November 5th, however, PowerCom management sent out a letter cancelling the meeting. The union then said that starting this morning, November 7, there would be an endless gherao (surrounding/protest) outside Power Minister Sanjeev Arora’s residence.

Large-scale protest in Ludhiana
No one will back down now, according to the union, and the demonstration will go on until the government agrees to their requests. Additionally, they have declared that on November 9th, they would conduct a flag march in the Taran Taran Assembly by-election seat. Charges of Encouraging Privatisation
The Punjab government and the Power Department are allegedly pushing quickly towards privatisation, according to union representatives. They contend that by selling PowerCom’s facilities and assets and encouraging contractor firms to install smart meters, the department is gradually being transferred to private hands. They have called for the Central Government’s Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2025 to be completely repealed, accusing it of being a plot to give corporations control over the power industry.

There are no jobs or compensation for the more than 400 workers who have died.
According to the union, the department is severely lacking in safety equipment. Over 400 contract workers have reportedly died, and hundreds more have been permanently crippled as a result of inadequate supervision and a lack of safety gear.

Demand: Provide Permanent Jobs, Terminate Contract Work
The union has reaffirmed its demand that all outsourced contract workers be immediately absorbed into the department and that minimum pay be implemented in accordance with the 1948 Labour Act and the recommendations of the 15th Labour Conference. They claimed that although Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had pledged during the election to abolish the contract programme, the administration is currently pushing it.

The contract workers’ primary demands are as follows:
Revoke PowerCom and Transco’s privatisation entirely.

All contract and outsourced workers should be immediately integrated into the department.

Give the relatives of workers who perished in electrical accidents a permanent position and a pension.

Pay employees in accordance with the 15th Labour Conference and the 1948 Act.

Ensure fresh hiring and lift the ban on departmental positions.

Make sure that all workplaces have management and safety kits.

Expected Effects of the Agitation
The union has declared a total work stoppage, or “Work Jam,” that will begin at 12 AM tonight. This is anticipated to have an impact on Punjab’s overall electricity supply.