New Delhi: Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition, took to social media on Monday to shed light on the precarious conditions faced by bus drivers and conductors in Delhi. In a video shared on X, Gandhi, who recently rode a Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) bus, gave a glimpse into the struggles of these workers, who he says are often treated unfairly and forgotten.
“No social security, no stable income and no permanent job—contractual labour has reduced a job of great responsibility to a state of compulsion. While drivers and conductors are forced to live in the darkness of uncertainty, the Home Guards who are continuously deployed for the safety of passengers are without salary for the last 6 months,” Gandhi wrote in his X post.
The video captures a poignant exchange between Gandhi and the DTC workers. They speak candidly about their concerns from job insecurity, low wages to the ever-present threat of privatisation. One driver reveals that despite the vital role they play in transporting millions of commuters every day, they lack permanent employment, making their future uncertain. The lack of social security, a constant worry, adds to the anxieties they face. “No social security, no stable income and no permanent job – contractual labour has reduced a job of great responsibility to a state of compulsion,” he said further.
In the beginning of the video, Rahul receives a cab driver at his residence and felicitates driver’s meeting with his mother Sonia Gandhi before leaving the house.
The 7 minutes 31 seconds long video also highlighted the condition of the home guards stationed on buses for passenger safety. They, too, are facing hardships, with unpaid salaries for the last six months. This, Gandhi argues, is an illustration of the larger issue, the “neglect and disregard” for these workers, who play a crucial role in keeping Delhi moving. “While drivers and conductors are forced to live in the darkness of uncertainty, the Home Guards who are continuously deployed for the safety of passengers are without salary for the last 6 months.”
Gandhi goes on to criticize the “injustice” faced by DTC workers, comparing them to government employees nationwide who are constantly threatened by privatization. He calls for fair treatment, demanding “equal work, equal pay, complete justice” for these workers.