Mumbai, June 20: The BEST employees strike entered its second consecutive day on Saturday, disrupting public transport services across Mumbai as thousands of workers continued their protest demanding regularisation of jobs and the complete withdrawal of the contract-based bus system. The ongoing BEST employees strike has affected daily commuters and intensified concerns over the future of Mumbai’s public transport network.

The BEST employees strike is being led by workers of the Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking, who have accused the administration of ignoring their long-pending demands. Employees insist that their protest is not merely about salary increments but about securing permanent employment and protecting the public transport system from increasing dependence on private contractors.

Speaking during the demonstration, protesting employee Praveen Shantaram Holmukhe said the BEST employees strike is focused on ending the wet lease or contract bus model that has gradually replaced permanent BEST-operated buses.

“Our protest is against buses operating under wet lease contracts. This is not about salary hikes. We demand permanent jobs in BEST and the removal of contract-operated buses. Many operational issues and accidents are linked to contract vehicles,” Holmukhe said.

According to the workers, the BEST employees strike reflects years of frustration over contractual employment, low wages, and poor working conditions. Many employees claim they work up to 16 hours a day while earning only around Rs 20,000 per month, making it difficult to support their families in a city like Mumbai.

Holmukhe further stated that despite the ongoing BEST employees strike, there has been no formal communication from the Maharashtra government regarding the workers’ demands. Employees have vowed to continue the agitation until meaningful discussions begin.

Protest Gains Momentum Across Mumbai

The BEST employees strike began with a large demonstration at the Dharavi depot on Friday, where hundreds of employees gathered to voice their concerns. The protest soon spread across several depots, resulting in disruptions to bus services on multiple routes across Mumbai.

To prevent any law-and-order issues, police personnel were deployed at key BEST depots, including Dharavi, where the demonstrations attracted large crowds of workers and union members.

Despite the police presence, the BEST employees strike remained peaceful, with workers carrying placards and raising slogans demanding permanent employment, fair wages, and protection of public transport services.

Union Raises Concerns Over Financial Issues

BEST Workers’ Union leader Ranganath Satavase highlighted the financial hardships faced by employees and retired staff. He said several retired workers have not received their pending retirement benefits since 2022.

Satavase explained that the BEST employees strike is also intended to draw attention to workers who continue to receive wages below the prescribed minimum despite years of service.

He urged both the BEST administration and the Maharashtra government to immediately release pending payments and ensure that every employee receives fair compensation.

“The responsibility lies with the administration and the government to pay retired workers their dues and provide fair wages to existing employees,” Satavase said.

Opposition to PPP Model

One of the major concerns driving the BEST employees strike is the government’s proposal to redevelop BEST bus depots under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.

Union leaders argue that leasing bus depots for long-term commercial development could weaken the future of the public transport undertaking.

Satavase expressed fears that several depots may effectively be handed over to private developers for nearly 99 years, raising serious concerns about whether BEST will continue functioning as a public transport service in the future.

According to the union, the BEST employees strike aims to safeguard the organisation’s public ownership and prevent excessive privatisation that could impact both employees and commuters.

Demand for Budget Merger

Another important demand raised during the BEST employees strike is the merger of the BEST budget with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) budget.

Union representatives believe such a merger would strengthen the financial position of BEST, allowing the organisation to improve employee welfare, modernise services, and ensure uninterrupted public transport operations.

The workers argue that integrating the budgets would provide greater financial stability and reduce the recurring deficits faced by the transport undertaking.

Impact on Daily Commuters

The continuing BEST employees strike has caused inconvenience to thousands of Mumbai residents who depend on buses for daily travel. Commuters experienced delays, overcrowding, and limited availability of buses as several services remained suspended.

Office-goers, students, senior citizens, and daily wage workers have been among the worst affected by the transport disruption. Many passengers were forced to rely on suburban trains, taxis, auto-rickshaws, and app-based cab services, increasing travel costs and congestion across the city.

Transport experts believe that prolonged disruptions caused by the BEST employees strike could place additional pressure on Mumbai’s already busy transport infrastructure.

Workers Seek Long-Term Employment Security

Employees participating in the BEST employees strike say their primary objective is employment security rather than short-term financial benefits.

Many contractual workers have served the organisation for several years without receiving permanent status or employee benefits available to regular staff.

Workers argue that permanent employment would not only improve their quality of life but also enhance accountability, operational efficiency, and passenger safety across the BEST transport system.

Government Yet to Initiate Talks

As of Saturday evening, no official negotiations had taken place between the protesting workers and the Maharashtra government.

Union leaders stated that the BEST employees strike would continue until authorities agree to hold discussions regarding regularisation, wages, retirement benefits, depot redevelopment, and the future of contract-based buses.

The administration has appealed for maintaining public order while monitoring the situation closely.

Future of Mumbai’s Public Transport

The ongoing BEST employees strike highlights broader concerns surrounding public transport management, labour welfare, and infrastructure development in India’s financial capital.

Experts believe balancing financial sustainability with employee welfare will be essential for maintaining efficient public transport services. Any long-term resolution will likely require constructive dialogue between the government, BEST administration, and employee unions.

Until then, the BEST employees strike remains a significant challenge for Mumbai’s transport network, affecting both workers seeking job security and millions of passengers who rely on BEST buses every day.

With no breakthrough in negotiations so far, all eyes remain on the Maharashtra government and BEST management to find a mutually acceptable solution that restores normal services while addressing the legitimate concerns of employees.