The Kerala State Road Transport Employees Association (KSRTEA), affiliated with the CITU in the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation, has raised a banner of revolt against the ‘unscientific service modernisation’ being carried out in the public utility. According to the association’s office-bearers, the management had cut down on the staff duties in the superclass services without discussions with the employees.
In addition, the management’s decision to terminate the contracts of 125 Badali employees (contract workers) from April 2025 too prompted the association to confront the management and the Transport Minister. The association held protests across the State on Wednesday, demanding the restoration of service duties and the reinstatement of the contract employees.
Though the association has given a letter to the management seeking the urgent revoking of the decision, the management has yet to take a call on the matter. During the COVID-19 period, the KSRTC management had removed the contract employees from service. The association then held a 92-day-long day-night strike prompting the corporation to reinstate them.
‘No reasons given’
These employees were now terminated from the service without any reason, the office-bearers said. The majority of the removed staff are above 50 years, and they comprise women, widows, and persons with disabilities. The prospects of their getting alternative employments during this period of their career are slim, said Honey Balachandran, general secretary of the association.
Published – October 29, 2025 05:35 pm IST
