Mumbai faced yet another disruption in public transportation as wet lease drivers employed by Olectra staged a flash strike on Friday morning. The protest, which began at 6:30 a.m. at the Mumbai Central bus depot, marks the third such industrial action by wet lease drivers in a single week, leaving passengers stranded and services delayed.
Reasons Behind the Strike
The drivers, who are employed by Maurya Company, cited unpaid salaries as the main reason for their strike. Speaking about their grievances, one driver shared, “Our salaries are supposed to be paid by the 10th of every month, but we have not received them yet. Moreover, we are underpaid compared to drivers directly employed by BEST, and we haven’t had a salary hike in years.”
In addition to delayed salaries, the drivers have voiced concerns over stagnant pay, lack of adequate leave, and extended working hours, which have compounded their frustrations over time.
Impact on Bus Services
The strike affected the operations of at least 30 buses, leading to delays of up to 30 minutes on key routes to South Mumbai. BEST’s attempt to deploy its own buses on the affected routes failed to fully accommodate passenger demand, further inconveniencing commuters.
Services resumed around 2:00 p.m. after the drivers’ pending salaries and other dues were credited. Sudas Sawant, a spokesperson for BEST Undertaking, confirmed, “The strike was called off once the payments were made.”
Recurring Protests by Wet Lease Drivers
This is the third instance of a flash strike by wet lease drivers this week, highlighting the ongoing dissatisfaction among outsourced employees. On Thursday afternoon, around 60 drivers operating Olectra buses from the Kalakilla depot near Dharavi halted services at 12:30 p.m., causing significant delays. Services resumed only late at night after their demands were addressed.
Earlier in the week, on Monday, 210 BEST buses managed by Mateshwari Urban Transport were grounded for nearly five hours. This strike was triggered by allegations of mistreatment of a pregnant conductor by her supervisor. A police complaint regarding the incident was filed at the Wadala TT police station.
Challenges with the Wet Lease Model
BEST’s reliance on wet lease operators like Olectra and Mateshwari Urban Transport has come under scrutiny due to recurring strikes and unresolved employee grievances. Under the wet lease model, private operators manage buses, while BEST oversees route operations. However, drivers employed by these operators often face lower pay and fewer benefits compared to those directly employed by BEST.
The repeated disruptions caused by wet lease driver strikes have raised questions about the sustainability and efficiency of this model. Passenger complaints about delayed services and overcrowded buses are growing, putting pressure on BEST to address the underlying issues.
Conclusion
The ongoing strikes by wet lease bus drivers underscore the urgent need for better working conditions, timely salary payments, and fair treatment. BEST must address these recurring issues to ensure uninterrupted services for Mumbai’s commuters.
With passengers bearing the brunt of these disruptions, authorities must work to implement long-term solutions that balance the interests of employees, operators, and commuters alike. Until then, the possibility of further strikes looms large, threatening to disrupt Mumbai’s already strained public transportation system.
