BEST Wet Lease Bus Workers to Protest for Equal Pay on February 25
On February 25, 2025, thousands of drivers and conductors working on wet lease buses for the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply & Transport (BEST) undertaking will stage a protest demanding equal pay and job security. These workers, employed by private contractors such as Daga Group, Mateshwari Urban Transport Solutions Pvt. Ltd., BVG India Ltd., and others, argue that despite performing the same duties as BEST’s permanent staff, they are subjected to wage disparities and lack crucial job security benefits.
The protest will see workers marching to Azad Maidan at 12:30 PM, where a delegation will present a memorandum to Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Commissioner. The workers are calling for the implementation of the “equal pay for equal work” principle, pointing to the essential and continuous nature of their duties as a basis for their demands. Shashank Rao, a union leader, confirmed that the protest would involve workers joining after completing their shifts to ensure that bus services are not disrupted. Currently, nearly 3,000 buses are operated by BEST, of which two-thirds are provided through private contractors on a wet lease basis.
Despite fulfilling similar roles to their permanent counterparts, workers employed on wet lease buses receive lower wages and are not entitled to the same job security and benefits. This inequality has sparked significant unrest, with workers seeking fair treatment and the assurance of stable employment. The protest represents a growing demand for better working conditions and the recognition of the workers’ contribution to the daily functioning of Mumbai’s public transport system. The outcome of this protest could have significant implications for the future of the wet lease system and the rights of the workers involved.
