Within 100 metres of the BEST headquarters, Electric House in Colaba stands a three-storeyed apartment belonging to its employees.
It is upon looking at the condition of BEST employees quarters at face value does one realise that the reason behind the strike may be well beyond money matters. Within 100 metres of the BEST headquarters, Electric House in Colaba stands a three-storeyed apartment belonging to its employees.
The dialpidated quarters were built in 1938 and house 60 families in flats sizing nearly 180 square feet.
Flowing water in the narrow passages, electric wires hanging dangerously, and garbage bins placed carelessly have marred the insides. In such case, the demand made by the protesting BEST employees for repair works of their staff quarters are evident.
"The time when the entire building receives water, there is chaos with women running to fill the buckets," said Sachin Sonawane, whose father works for the transport division of BEST. "I am a sculptor. I didn't want to join the BEST as salaries are insufficient for survival. This is a fight of the labour class."
"We do not get even ten litres of water a day. The supply lasts barely five to seven minutes while the neighbouring buildings get 24-hour supply," said Geeta M, whose husband works as a driver with BEST. Many woman feel the quarters have been reduced to slums. "Recently, a portion of the ceiling collapsed; thankfully no one was injured," said Vandana Awhad, whose husband is a BEST driver.
The common veranda of this chawl — which faces the roofs of fancy restaurants and shops — has been reduced to a litter spot. "In the evening, we dread to stand here as mosquitoes are a big menace," said Radha Bargaje. The men who work as employees stated that they receive little help from their own organisation.
They, in unison said that they will continue the strike as the meagre salary drawn by them is insufficient to fend the basic needs. They were also unhappy as BEST administration hasn't been listening to their complaints to repair the building but came at 10.30 pm to serve notices to evict quarters.
Meanwhile the BEST administration has claimed that they will be spending Rs 10 crore on repairs of staff quarters at many locations across Mumbai in this year. And next year Rs 20 crore has been allotted.
POOR LIVING
Flowing water in the narrow passages, electric wires hanging dangerously, and garbage bins placed carelessly have marred the insides of the BEST employee quarters
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