Mumbai: BEST wet lease bus staff demand permanent jobs and equal pay, pledge to continue strike

Contract BEST workers Kamgar Karmachari Union on strike outside Wadala BEST Depot on August 7, 2023. Photo: Sayyed Sameer Abedi

A group of protesting employees from private bus operators contracted by the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking voiced their demand for permanent positions within the civic-run transportation system. In a press conference, they emphasized that those who couldn't be permanently absorbed should be considered for contract roles. They also called for "samaan kam, samaan dam" - equal remuneration - as BEST employees due to their belief in contributing equal effort.

They expressed optimism that Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde would address their plea. "For the past six days, around 7,000 to 9,000 employees of private bus operators associated with BEST have been on strike, and this will persist until our demands are met," stated Vikas Kharmale, coordinator of a newly-formed group representing wet-leased bus employees.

Kharmale, an employee of the private bus operator Daga Group, explained that these employees had been struggling for the past four years, leading to the current strike as a manifestation of their discontent.

The group affirmed their intention to engage in direct discussions with the state government rather than negotiating with the BEST administration. They even prepared a 20-member delegation in anticipation of negotiations with the government.

Responding to queries about new drivers being hired by the private bus operators, Kharmale responded positively, stating they would be welcomed.

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Nitin Kamble, a worker from private bus operator Mateshwari, highlighted that conductors were earning a mere Rs 12,500 per month, which was inadequate for their survival. He also claimed that private bus operators had hired retired BEST employees who treated current employees harshly.

Paresh Temgire, an employee of Daga Group, shared his experience as a driver. Despite being promised a monthly salary of Rs 22,500, he only received Rs 17,000 after deductions, which he found insufficient to live in Mumbai.

A group of distraught individuals, including Mangesh Mohite, spoke about their dire circumstances resulting from the ongoing strike.

On Monday, 796 out of the over 1,600 wet-leased buses by Mumbai's civic transport utility BEST remained off the roads. This was due to drivers of private bus operators who were on strike for the sixth consecutive day, demanding higher salaries and other benefits.

Sunil Vaidya, a BEST spokesperson, explained that the public transport body operated 603 wet-leased buses with its own drivers and around 1,390 of its own buses on various routes. To minimize commuter inconvenience, the state-owned Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) operated 122 buses from six different depots of BEST.

The majority of drivers from seven private bus operators, leasing their buses to BEST, initiated the strike on August 2, demanding salary increases and free rides on BEST buses. (With inputs from PTI)