Powercom Outsourced Employees Protest in Jalandhar: Indefinite Strike Begins; Services Feared to be Affected

May 21, 2026

Outsourced employees working at Powercom’s facilitation centers, meter laboratories, and stores across Punjab have launched an indefinite strike, commencing at 12:00 AM on May 21, 2026, to press for their demands. Organized under the banner of the ‘Outsource Employees Federation Punjab,’ this strike involves personnel from NCC, CRC, stores, meter labs, and PASCO.

The employees’ primary demands are to secure direct contractual employment with the department and to put an end to the discriminatory practices currently prevailing in their work environment. Consequently, fears have intensified that this strike could bring public electricity-related services and technical operations across the state to a complete standstill. Employees associated with the department’s facilitation centers, meter laboratories, and stores have sounded the bugle for an indefinite strike, effectively opening a front against the government and the management.

Initiated at the behest of the ‘Outsource Employees Federation Punjab,’ this strike involves employees from various categories. Amit Kumar, the Federation’s President for the Jalandhar division, stated that outsourced workers—many of whom have served the department for extended periods—have been subjected to persistent discrimination and unequal treatment.

Employee leaders assert that, despite having served the department for years—often risking their own lives in the process—they are being denied their rightful entitlements. This time, the employees have resolved to wage a decisive battle and have completely ceased all work effective from 12:00 AM on May 21, 2026.

The Core Demand: Direct Contracts
According to the union, their most prominent and legitimate demand is to eliminate intermediaries or private contractors and to bring them under direct contractual agreements with the department. Furthermore, they are demanding “equal pay for equal work” and assurances regarding job security.

The employees have formally notified the department’s senior officials and the administration in writing regarding this strike. They have made it unequivocally clear that until concrete and positive action is taken to address their demands, no work—whether at facilitation centers, meter testing units, or stores—will be performed.