Mumbai News: BEST Kamgar Sena Protests In Wadala Over Gratuity Delays, Staff Shortages, And Demand For ₹10,000 Crore Relief

The BEST Kamgar Sena organized a protest on Friday afternoon at Wadala to voice their long-pending demands and highlight key issues affecting employees of the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking. The protest saw participation from both retired and current employees, with the union demanding immediate action from the authorities on six critical points.

According to the union, the main objective of the protest was to draw attention to the challenges faced by workers, especially delays in benefits, lack of promotions, and staffing shortages. The primary demand put forth was the immediate disbursement of gratuity to retired BEST workers, many of whom have been waiting for their dues for a long time.

The union also called for an increase in BEST’s self-owned bus fleet to 3,337 buses in order to meet growing commuter demand and reduce dependency on leased buses, which they claim are more expensive and less efficient. Another major issue raised was the stagnation in promotions across departments, with the union stating that several employees have been stuck in the same positions for years, affecting both morale and work efficiency.

Along with promotions, the union is pushing for immediate recruitment drives to address serious staff shortages and ensure uninterrupted services. They are also demanding the clearance of pending dues to current employees, stating that delays in payments are causing financial stress for many workers and their families.

To support the overall operations of BEST and improve its financial health, the union has demanded a financial package of Rs 10,000 crores from the Maharashtra government. They claim that without urgent intervention, the organization may not be able to sustain its services effectively.

The BEST Kamgar Sena has warned that if these demands are not met promptly, the union may be forced to escalate its agitation in the near future.