With the possibility of the election code of conduct being imposed soon, municipal labour unions are intensifying their demand for a 20% Diwali bonus for over one lakh Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) employees. The Municipal Mazdoor Sangh and Municipal Union have urged that the bonus be declared ahead of time, fearing that the forthcoming assembly elections could limit political parties’ ability to intervene in the process.
Historically, as the festive season of Diwali approaches, labour unions within the BMC initiate discussions around employee bonuses. This year, despite Diwali being over a month away, negotiations have already begun. In past years, when no consensus could be reached, the unions escalated the matter to the Chief Minister. Last year, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde approved a total bonus of ₹26,000 for municipal workers and teachers, alongside a Diwali gift of ₹11,000 for health workers. This approval came at a significant cost to the BMC’s budget, amounting to ₹300 crores. However, this year’s discussions come with the added complexity of the upcoming state elections. The implementation of the election code of conduct post-Dussehra may restrict the involvement of political leaders in determining the bonus.
Recognising this, union leaders have directly approached Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani to secure a 20% bonus of the annual earnings for employees before the code comes into force. Given the scale of BMC’s operations, with a workforce of over one lakh employees, this bonus demand would further strain the municipal budget, which currently stands at approximately ₹60,000 crores. The unions argue that the employees deserve to be rewarded for their hard work, especially given the rising inflation and cost of living. While the municipal administration is expected to negotiate with the unions, the looming elections add urgency to the discussions. The unions are determined to secure the bonus before the election-related restrictions come into play, setting the stage for a potential standoff if their demands are not met
