Ludhiana, May 1 -- Powercom and Transco outsourced employees staged a statewide protest on Wednesday and burnt the effigies of the finance minister, accusing the government of backtracking on commitments and failing to implement long-pending demands.

Their key demands include regularisation of outsourced workers by directly absorbing them into the department, implementation of a minimum living wage, and guaranteed compensation in case of accidents. They also demanded permanent jobs and pension benefits for families of workers who have died or suffered serious injuries due to electrocution while on duty.

Leaders of the union said the decision to intensify the agitation was taken after the state government postponed a scheduled meeting on...