Mumbai: Drivers of wet lease buses should also get Covid allowance, insurance, says BEST workers' union

MUMBAI: The BEST Workers' Union on Tuesday demanded that all drivers who ply buses for the Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport on "wet lease" should also get Covid allowance of Rs 300 per day and ex-gratia of Rs 50 lakh for family in case of death during duty.

"These drivers are also risking lives to ferry essential workers and other commuters. So, why should they be deprived of the Covid insurance and special allowances?" said union leader Shashank Rao. The BEST has 1,243 buses on wet lease and nearly 2,500 drivers operating them.

These privileges are given to existing drivers employed full time with the undertaking.

 Source: The Times of India