Wet-lease employees of the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) have taken to the ballot to decide whether go on strike in support of their demand for “Equal Work, Equal Pay.”

“Since the work performed by permanent and temporary workers in the transport department of the undertaking is similar to that of the wet-lease employees, why should they not receive the same pay and benefits? Workers employed by wet-lease operators — including the joint venture of Shree Maruti Travels and Arham Transportation Pvt. Ltd. (SMTATPL Associates of the Daga Group), Mateshwari Urban Transport Solutions Pvt. Ltd and BVG India Ltd — are doing the same kind of work. However, they are not being paid the same wages or provided the service conditions as permanent and regular workers of the BEST undertaking, in violation of the principle of ‘Equal Work, Equal Pay.’ This is a breach of the law by both the private contractors and the BEST undertaking,” said Shashank Sharad Rao of the Sangharsh Labour Employees’ Union.

“The Sangharsh Labour Employees’ Union has repeatedly submitted representations to the civic chief, the general manager of BEST, and the private contractor companies regarding this issue. However, the demand for ‘Equal Pay for Equal Work’ continues to be ignored,” he added. In the first phase, voting was held on Tuesday from 7 am to 7 pm at the Deonar, Shivajinagar, Ghatkopar, Mulund, and Mumbai Central bus depots. Voting at the remaining depots will take place on July 22.