BEST wet-lease employees cast vote to decide on strike over 'Equal work, equal pay' demand

The voting took place at Deonar, Shivaji Nagar, Mumbai Central, Ghatkopar and Mulund depots on Tuesday.

Wet-lease employees of the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking in Mumbai have taken to the ballot to decide if they should go on a strike to fight for ‘Equal work, equal pay' while on the job.

"As the work done by the permanent/temporary workers in the transport department of BEST undertaking is similar to those of the employees, why should they not be given similar pay and perks that the employees get? Workers of wet-lease operators, including those of the joint venture of Shree Maruti Travels and Arham Transportation Pvt Ltd, SMTATPL Associates (Daga Group, Mateshwari Urban Transport Solutions Pvt Ltd, BVG India Ltd and other companies are doing exactly the same nature of work but are not being given the same pay scale and other conditions of service as are applicable to equivalent permanent and regular workers in the BEST undertaking in accordance with the principle of ‘Equal work, equal pay'. This is in violation of the law by the private contractor and the BEST undertaking," said Shashank Sharad Rao of the Sangharsh Labour Empoyees' Union.

According to him, despite repeated representations by the employees' union, the demand has fallen on deaf ears.

"The Sangharsh Labour Empoyees' Union has repeatedly submitted a representation to the Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, General Manager, BEST Enterprises and private contractor companies regarding the above issue, but this "equal pay for equal work" is not being given," he added.

Thus, the workers cast the ballot to decide if they should go on a strike to fulfil their demand of ‘equal pay for equal work'. In the first phase, voting is being held on Tuesday from 7am to 7pm at bus depots of Deonar, Shivajinagar, Ghatkopar, Mulund and Mumbai Central. Voting will be held in the remaining depots on July 22.