In a statement, A.S. Shankarapandian, General Secretary of Samuga Pothunala Iyakkam (TNSPI), stated as follows:
On 13.1.2026, a tender was issued to appoint workers on a contract basis to vacant conductor posts in Chennai Metropolitan buses. According to the tender issued during the previous DMK government, the contract was finalised this month with S.S. Enterprises of Uttar Pradesh for Rs. 61.56 crore for 11 months. Accordingly, a total of 1,797 conductors are to be appointed: 350 in Adyar, 320 in Chromepet, 295 in Vadapalani and 256 in Ayanavaram.
It is said that the monthly salary for each worker has been fixed at Rs. 27,679 and that the contract company will receive this amount along with 18% GST and other charges. As the specified recruitment is to be carried out by a company from Uttar Pradesh, there is a situation in which a large number of people from northern India may be appointed as conductors. This raises questions about the Tamil Nadu Government’s employment policy and creates a situation in which employment opportunities for Tamil Nadu youth may be lost.
More than 32 lakh people are registered with employment exchanges in Tamil Nadu and have been waiting for jobs for a long time. As government vacancies have remained unfilled for years, they continue to wait with disappointment and expectation. Around 12 lakh workers from northern states are engaged in various jobs in Tamil Nadu. As a result, many local workers are losing employment, while several crores of rupees are transferred from here to other states through these workers.
In this situation, handing over the specified jobs to people from northern states in a manner that affects employment opportunities for Tamil Nadu youth is condemnable. Following such an approach in vacant posts would deprive Tamil Nadu youth of employment and affect their future. We also consider appointing workers through a contract system instead of permanent employees to be an action that affects labour rights.
The transport conductor role involves close interaction with the public and lakhs of people travel on these buses, making it essential to speak with them in Tamil and answer their questions. Appointing people who have no connection with the public in such a role would affect the service. The Tamil Nadu Government should abandon this decision, which is against social justice and reservation and could cause job losses and other impacts, and take appropriate steps to directly recruit permanent employees to vacant transport corporation posts.
Head Office,
Samuga Pothunala Iyakkam (TNSPI).
