Ingush bus drivers on strike over delayed salaries

Employees of the government run Ingushavtotrans transport company have been on strike since 28 March over delayed wages. Being paid on time is the only demand of the striking workers. They claim that the last time they received their salaries was in October 2016.

For many drivers, this income is the only way to support their families. Despite the fact that buses bring in revenue to the local budget, the management of Ingushavtotrans complain of a lack of funds.

Bus driver Alikhan told OC Media that staging this protest was the drivers’ last resort.

‘Exactly one year ago we had the same problem. They began to delay payments. Now we haven’t been paid since October. They ask us to be patient all the time, they say that it’s the same situation all over Russia. What should I tell my children? How do I look them in the eyes? You can’t explain it to them’, Alikhan said.

Ingushavtotrans employs 320 drivers and 100 service personnel, and operates 256 vehicles.

Ingushavtotrans’s management have called on the protesters to end the strike and go back to work. They have promised that the drivers will be paid their wages in the near future. The drivers, however, have refused to stop the strike.