On the verge of starvation….
Mulund’s BEST workers’ monthly household budget goes for a toss
The precarious financial condition of the city’s premier transport agency, BEST, has resulted in Mulund’s BEST workers bearing the brunt. As it is, these poor workers were getting their dues late but, it seems, now they are not being paid their dues even after one month. Under these circumstances, these employees are finding it difficult to cope with their financial travails like children’s school fees and their monthly budget going awry.
Irregular disbursement of salaries had featured recently in a petition filed before the Labour Court which held that salary for the month of February 2019 should be paid latest by March 30th, 2019. Moreover, it has been held that salaries for the next 3 months should be disbursed on the 20th of each month. In view of this the condition, of these employees has become pathetic. Most of these unfortunate workers have availed of loans from banks. How would they be able to repay their monthly loan instalments is the moot question. Some of these have become loan defaulters and have had to pay a penalty for such defaults. All this has led to tremendous disappointment and frustration amongst Mulund’s BEST workers.
The poor financial condition of BEST has percolated to its staff which is having to confront innumerable difficulties. After all, how could they celebrate important festivals like Holi and Gudi Padwa without getting their salaries?
Another delay in the disbursement of salaries will definitely lead to more worries for the already disgruntled staff. In this context, BEST Workers Union President, Shashank Rao, has announced that he would petition the Bombay High Court against the Labour Court’s order. The BEST workers are up in arms against the management, who they allege have deceived them, as maintained by Sashank Rao.
“BEST management has been meting out injustice to the workers and their families. Salaries are not disbursed during festivals. Moreover, their children’s fees are not being paid in time, resulting in them not being able to appear for their exams. Also, home loans are weighing them down. How will they pay even the bank instalments? Despite working hard if salaries are not received on time, then the atmosphere at home becomes vitiated.”
– Atul Durgade, BEST Employee, Mulund
