Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday released a video of his interaction with the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) bus drivers and conductors, highlighting that they were “constantly living under the fear of privatisation” with “no stable income or permanent job”.
“No social security, no stable income and no permanent job – contractual labour has reduced a job of great responsibility to a state of compulsion,” wrote Gandhi on his social media.
“Troubled by this neglect, DTC workers, like government employees across the country, are constantly living under the fear of privatisation. These are the people who run India, who facilitate the travel of millions of commuters every day – but all they have got in return for their dedication is injustice,” Gandhi stated on Facebook.
The video started with Gandhi taking an Uber ride with a driver whom he had previously met. After introducing him to his mother, Gandhi travelled with him to the Sarojini Nagar Bus Depot, where he had interacted with DTC drivers, conductors, and marshals the previous Wednesday.
During the interaction with the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) bus drivers, Gandhi inquired about their work hours. The drivers responded that they are supposed to work eight hours, but often end up working around two hours extra.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi interacts with a DTC workers in New Delhi on Wednesday, August 28. (Photo: Facebook)
The Congress leader then asked if they are permanent employees, to which they reply negatively, stating that they are all temporary employees. “How much money do you get and how much does the contractor get?” Gandhi asked.
“There is no contractor. It is only us and DTC. But we get Rs 813 per day, which also includes our PF deduction. Additionally, we don’t get any rest days, not even on Holi or Diwali. Our salary is cut on days we take rest,” explained one of the DTC drivers.
Gandhi inquired about how he can help them, to which the drivers responded with their need for permanent employment and timely salaries. “Our salaries have not been paid for 5 months. The state and centre are playing the blame game,. They say funds have not been released. They have further stated that salaries won’t be credited for 2 more months. This is affecting our families; if we can’t pay our children’s fees or admit them to school, their futures will be destroyed,” a DTC driver said.
A conductor from the DTC added during the interaction that they work on a contractual basis, with their contracts renewed annually. “If our duty hours are reduced, they don’t renew the contract,” he said.
“Our demand is to make our jobs permanent. Samaan vetan aur samaan kaam hona chahiye (We want equal work, equal pay). When Sheila Dikshit was in office, she made us permanent employees,” he continued.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi holds a DTC bus ticket in his hand. (Photo: Facebook)
“Why is our citizenship permanent but our jobs temporary? Why is there so much privatisation?” another DTC conductor asked.
Gandhi questioned, “With all this privatization, who is benefiting?” “Only the job holders,” someone replies.
“Modi ji has worsened the situation. He has eliminated the distinction between a literate and an illiterate person. A labourer earns 18-20k, while an educated person earns 25k. We are common people. Even after educating our children, they are earning only 25-30k,” said a worker from the DTC workshop.
When Gandhi asked if they are able to save money, they said no.
He also inquired if they have bus passes, and they responded that they do not; they have to pay for their travel.
He then took a bus ride and asked the conductor present about his family and his job life. The collector mentioned that he is also contract labour, with his contract renewed by DTC every year. “We want to secure our future and need permanent jobs,” he concluded.
