Ludhiana strike ends as PSPCL adopts direct contractual engagement policy for outsourced workers

The Complaint Handling Bike (CHB) and Complaint Handling Wagon (CHW) workers ended their protest in Ludhiana after PSPCL announced a policy to directly engage eligible outsourced workers on a contractual basis following technical screening and experience verification. The announced mechanism states that outsourced workers with technical qualifications and three or more years of experience would be eligible for immediate direct contractual engagement with PSPCL. Workers with technical qualifications but less than three years of experience would become eligible after completing the required service period. The policy also provides a route for unqualified but experienced workers. Outsourced employees without formal technical qualifications but with over three years of field experience would first undergo 10 days of practical training, followed by a basic technical competency test. Those who clear the assessment would be eligible for direct contractual engagement, while workers lacking both qualifications and minimum experience would become eligible after three years of service and passing the technical assessment. The strike had affected complaint handling and routine maintenance in several city divisions, with regular technical staff taking on extra field duties. PSPCL central zone chief engineer Jagdev Singh Hans said the corporation was ensuring consumer services while making alternate arrangements to minimize inconvenience, noting that the framework aims to maintain safety and technical standards for field duties.