Employees of Public Transport Together to Put Pressure

Their goal is to bring public transport workers adopted strategy proven their colleagues in the sugar industry by joining forces to speak in voice. And it is not by chance that it is either Ashok Subron who is first in line.

Gathered in the Bus Industry Union of Workers (UBIW) sector employees public transport voted in favour of collective bargaining at national level, as was the case in the sugar industry and the port. The union sent a letter to the National Transport Corporation (NTC), the United Bus Service (UBS), the Triolet Bus Service Ltd, Rose-Hill Transport Ltd and Mauritius Bus Transport Ltd..

Ashok Subron explains that there are several reasons the employees' decision in favour of such an approach.

"All salary revisions are at the national level by a national authority. And in 2008, the leaders of the five companies had submitted joint proposals. In addition, the cost of tickets are the same in all businesses and government subsidies grants the same for all companies. There is no reason why the negotiations are not made at the national level, "says the moderator of the General Workers Federation, which is affiliated UBIW.

For its part, the President of the UBIW, Imzad Beeharry says that employees are willing to engage in industrial action if employers refuse the request of the workers.

Ashok Subron adds a strike is even considered. "The goal is not to engage in such an action, but we must understand that the option is not ruled out. Working conditions and salaries have not been revised since 2008. They are really desperate to be decently paid, "says the union.

Workers place within 30 days for employers to report on their response.