KSRTC warns employees against going on indefinite strike from May 20

According to the circular, employees working in transport companies are prohibited from striking under the provisions of the law. File | Photo credit: The Hindu

The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has issued a strong warning to employees and workers against participating in the indefinite nationwide strike proposed from May 20, saying that strict disciplinary action will be taken against those who remain on duty, including pay cuts under the ‘no work, no pay’ rule.

The warning was issued through a circular by KSRTC CEO Akram Pasha on Monday amid growing tension between the transport corporation’s employees and the state government over pending demands regarding revision of wages, arrears and welfare benefits of employees.

The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of unions representing employees of the state’s four road transport corporations has called for an indefinite strike starting on Wednesday, saying repeated appeals to the government on salary revision and other long-pending issues have not received a favorable response.

In a circular addressed to senior officers, divisional controllers and other officials, the KSRTC general manager said the proposed strike could not be permitted under the prevailing legal framework governing essential public services. He pointed out that the Karnataka government has already implemented the services of all state transport corporations under the Karnataka Essential Services Maintenance Act (KESMA), 2013.

According to the circular, employees working in transport companies are prohibited from striking under the provisions of the law. She further noted that all the four road transport corporations in Karnataka have been classified as public utilities, so strike action is legally restricted, especially when conciliation proceedings are underway.

Mr. Pasha urged the employees not to participate in the proposed agitation under any circumstances and instead continue to attend regularly to ensure uninterrupted transport service to the public. He said that transport services are vital for thousands of commuters across Karnataka and that employees should protect the trust people repose in corporations.

The circular also instructed officials across divisions and depots to take all necessary precautions to ensure that regular bus services are not disrupted during the proposed strike period. Officials were further directed not to approve leave applications from May 20 except in unavoidable situations.

The order warned that employees who remained absent during the strike period would face “no work, no pay” action. Officials were instructed to prepare daily, unit and category-wise records of absent employees for wage deductions and disciplinary proceedings.

Published – 18 May 2026 20:41 IST