RAWALPINDI: The Metro Bus Service was suspended for three hours on Monday after security guards went on a strike claiming they had not been paid their wages on time.

More than 200 security guards observed the strike between 1:45pm and 5pm. Each bus station employs approximately eight security guards, all of whom went on strike against the administration, claiming they had yet to receive their salary for July.

The service was first suspended between Pakistan Secretariat and Centaurus stations after which the suspension was extended to Saddar, Rawalpindi. The guards also chanted slogans against the Metro Bus Authority (MBA).

Service suspended by fourth strike in two months

The MBA officials then directed the commissioner’s office and the security company, Security 2000, to resolve the matter. Following a meeting between the representatives of Security 2000 and the guards during which it was decided that the salaries would be released, the strike was called off.

This was the fourth strike observed by the Metro Bus employees in the last two months. Drivers and other metro bus staff went on a strike and suspended the bus service for a day. Security guards also announced strikes in June and July over the same issue.

Metro buses are parked at the Secretariat station in Islamabad following a protest by employees on Monday against non-payment of salaries. — INP

Commuters have criticised the suspension of the bus service and asked the government to improve the administrative structure of the MBA. “Due to the strike, I wasted two hours finding out that the metro bus service was suspended between 9th Avenue and Saddar. The government claims to provide a non-stop service but it is suspended again and again,” said Mohammad Javed, a government official who travels daily from Peshawar Mor to Saddar.

Sidra Janzeb said she waited for the bus at Shamsabad bus station for two hours. She said it was very strange that a state bus service was suspended for several hours and the government did not take notice.

Iqbal Malik, a commuter from Saddar, said in the past the government transport service was suspended due to strikes by drivers and staff and that the metro bus service will meet the same fate if the government fails to improve the administrative structure behind the service.

He added that the government should also ensure a level-playing field for private transport on the same routes so that commuters can travel in the event of a strike, or any other suspension of the metro bus service. He said that the government had changed the route for public transport on Murree Road which made it difficult for commuters to find alternative transport during the strike.

Published in Dawn, August 18th, 2015

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