The BEST administration was left helpless and was unable to take out buses on Friday after contract workers, including bus drivers and conductors belonging to a private contractor went on a flash strike protesting against alleged exploitation by the contractor.

The contractor had promised a sum of Rs 22,000 per month but has been giving only Rs 14,000, plus is making drivers work in continuous eight-hour shifts, BEST Workers Union leader Shashank Sharad Rao said.