Mumbai: BEST bus services affected as workers go on flash strike; watch video

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BEST bus services have been affected as the wet lease company workers have gone on a flash strike at Sion Pratiksha Nagar and Dharavi bus depots since this morning.

The immediate trigger for this strike seems "insulting treatment" meted out to a pregnant lady conductor by employees of the wet lease company.

BEST commuters lamented that services of a once trusted and reliable undertaking have now become so unpredictable.

As per preliminary information, a lady bus conductor in her advanced stage of pregnancy sought light duties from the company manager, who denied it and insulted the lady. This has led to other employees protesting, leading to a flash strike.

The employees have also been upset about low and delayed salaries. According to the information received, the bus conductors and drivers are not receiving their salaries on time and there are various demands that they should be hired as permanent workers.

The workers belong to the wet lease company Mateshwari Urban Transport, which is operational at Santacruz, Majas, Wadala, Mulund besides Dharavi and Sion Pratiksha Nagar.

The wet-lease employees have been raising issue of better wages and also demanding better amenities at bus depots. The undertaking has said it will penalise contractors and levy fines.