Thiruvananthapuram: The temporary employees of Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) have decided to stage a long march to the secretariat on Monday, protesting against the state government’s decision to terminate their services.

The M-Panel employees lost their jobs following the Kerala high court’s verdict that directed KSRTC to terminate them immediately.

Also read: Kerala high court directs KSRTC to dismiss 3,872 temporary employees

The long march commenced last Wednesday from Alappuzha and ended at Sreekaryam on Sunday. It will start again at 7 am on Monday and will move towards the secretariat. The workers will walk 155 km to the secretariat and 3,861 families are expecting a positive reply from the government.

The march reached Thiruvananthapuram after passing through several depots. There were several unions which participated in the strike.

Meanwhile, it has been reported that there is a probability for taking back the temporary employees. KSRTC is conducting a study in this regard.

The employees were working for a daily wage amount of Rs 480.

Acting on a directive from the Kerala high court, KSRTC had removed 3,872 temporary conductors from service.

The court observed that keeping temporary employees would be a challenge for those who have passed the written test to become KSRTC employees. The court said that the temporary employees should be terminated immediately. The court had also ordered to submit an affidavit indicating about the termination of temporary employees.

The court had held that the vacant posts should be filled from the rank list of the Public Service Commission (PSC).

"The workers have been disengaged. They were told yesterday not to report for duty from Monday", Tomin J Thachankary, KSRTC’s managing director, said.

As per sources, the temporary employees have decided to file an appeal when the Supreme Court reopens on January 2.

Earlier, Kerala transport minister AK Saseendran said terminating M-Panel employees would worsen the condition of KSRTC. This step can stop services of KSRTC buses in many places of the state, he added.