The residents of Vasai-Virar City Municipal Corporation (VVMC) will face a shutdown of bus services from July 15 if the civic body does not pay the government prescribed minimum wage of ₹17,000 to private transport employees.
The Vasai-Virar Municipal Transport (VVMT) has outsourced its bus services to a private operator, Bhagirathi Transport, which plies more than 100 buses across several routes within the municipality. VVMT officials say the corporation runs only about 30 buses. About 700 workers affiliated to an NGO, Shramjeevi Sangathana, have been protesting for the past one year demanding that the private workers be also given minimum wages as prescribed by the government. According to a Government Resolution issued in 2015, the minimum wage for municipal corporation employees will be based on the gradation of the municipality.
Satish Lokhande, Municipal Commissioner, VVMC, says he has no objection to the demands made. Mr. Lokhande said, “I believe that equal pay should be given. I have written to the Urban Development Ministry and the plea has been forwarded to the Labour Ministry. They will take a final call.”
Mr. Lokhande said two notifications were issued by the government. “One is specifically for the transport department and the other for civic body workers such as safai kamgars,” said Mr. Lokhande. While transport workers are paid ₹12,000, other corporation workers are paid a minimum wage of ₹16,000. Mr. Lokhande said he has asked the government to clarify if all workers should be paid the same higher amount.
Pravin Devarukhakar, a worker with Bhagirathi Transport, said they would go on an indefinite strike if the corporation does not pay them the minimum wage by July 15. He said, “This matter was also raised in the Assembly and the Chief Minister has said in March 2016 that the minimum wage should be paid.”