The number of coronavirus cases in Maharashtra is rapidly rising. The authorities are ensuring that people are following the lockdown order in order to curb the spread of the disease.
The BEST Sanyukt Kaamgar Kruti Samiti (BSKKS), which includes all BEST workers unions, has asked BEST employees to stay home from May 18. The decision comes in the view of rising covidd-19 cases among the BEST employees. The announcement has come after the death of the sixth Covid-19 positive Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport employee on Wednesday. So far, the undertaking has reporte 95 covid-19 posiive cases.
BEST workers union leader Shashank Rao said the decision was taken after the rising number of deaths and Covid-19 cases within the undertaking.The decision includes the participation of employees operating buses and repairing power cables. BEST buses are the only form of public transport operating in the city. However, the corporation and BEST administration are neglecting the health of the BEST employees who come to work at the risk of their lives. The union has expressed their displeasure that the employees who come to work face many difficulties and also being threatened with salary cut. The employees have not been provided with an adequate supply of hand sanitisers, gloves and masks.
The union has demanded an insurance cover of Rs 1 crore for each of the BEST employees and their families. It has also demanded a separate hospital for BEST employees being treated for Covid-19. The union has also demanded that employees be provided with PPE kits as well.