Salary distribution in KSRTC to be delayed; those who work should be paid, says Kanam; salary was paid even when there was no work, retorts Minister

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The salary distribution in KSRTC for the month of May is likely to be delayed like last month. The strike by a section of employees on May 6 has made the situation worse. In a meeting with the union office bearers, Transport Minister Antony Raju had earlier assured that the salary will be paid before May 10, amid the ongoing crisis. However, the opposition unions went ahead with the strike ignoring the minister’s promise. KSRTC has suffered a loss of Rs 5 crore due to the strike. With the rejection of the minister's demand that KSRTC should not go on strike, as it could worsen the financial crisis, the transport minister has now said that the management should pay the wages.

Meantime, the participation of CPI trade union in the opposition unions’ strike has sparked a controversy.

The members of the AITUC union were not present on duty, on the day of the strike. As it became controversial, Kanam Rajendran had taken a position in support of the strike stating that those who work should be paid. This had also triggered the transport minister. In response to Kanam, the transport minister retorted by reminding about the Covid period and said that KSRTC had paid salaries even when buses were not in service. There are political goals behind the strike, alleged the minister.

Meantime, the management has begun collecting the details of the employees who took part in the strike on May 6. Reports suggest that attempts have also been made to impose more restrictions on the employees.