The strike by more than 1,000 outsourced workers of the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) in Ludhiana has entered its second week, severely impacting routine maintenance and electricity complaint handling across the city. The workers, involved in complaint handling and field operations, are demanding the elimination of the contractor-based employment system and direct engagement with PSPCL. They argue that despite performing essential duties for the corporation, they remain under private contractors, which complicates their employment status and payment processes. PSPCL officials have acknowledged the strike's impact, noting that regular staff are under increased pressure to manage operations amid the shortage of ground personnel. Chief engineer Jagdev Singh Hans stated that while efforts are being made to maintain consumer services, the situation remains challenging. The complexity of directly absorbing outsourced workers into the corporation is highlighted by officials, who note that many may not meet the eligibility criteria for direct recruitment. As the strike continues, response times for electricity complaints have increased, raising concerns about service reliability in Ludhiana.