Just 36 days after the launch of the Islamabad-Rawalpindi metro bus service, its drivers went on a strike on Friday against non-payment of two months’ salaries as promised by the Turkish Al-Burraq company, which has been awarded the contract to run the mass transit between the twin cities.
The commuters faced hardship as the drivers parked the 64 buses at different stations for more than four hours till 5pm. They also threatened to halt the service on a permanent basis if their salaries were not released before Eidul Fitr. They demanded Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif take notice of the non-payment of salaries to them. Action should also be taken against the officials concerned for creating financial problems in the Metro Bus Authority soon after the launch of the service, they added.
The local administration held negotiations with the protesters at the Pakistan Secretariat Bus Station and assured them that the issue would be resolved. After this, the protesters called off the strike.
Commissioner Zahid Saeed said after negotiations, the company assured the metro bus service employees that they would be paid the salaries before Eid. He said the chief minister also took notice of the strike and decided to penalise the private company.
“Under the contract, the private company will be penalised if the metro bus service got suspended,” he said.
Drivers suspend Isb-Rwp metro bus service over unpaid salaries
