BMTC electric bus drivers stage protest, disrupt services over salary issue

BENGALURU: Drivers of the BMTC’s electric bus fleet staged a snap protest in front of Shanti Nagar Depot-3 demanding settlement of their pending salary dues. The drivers stopped bus service on Tuesday morning and withdrew the strike in the afternoon after negotiations with BMTC officials and resumed their duty.

The electric bus drivers have been recruited on contractual basis. They alleged that the BMTC initially assured them of a salary of Rs 26,000 per month, but they are getting only Rs 18,000. The drivers were told that some money would be deducted towards Provident Fund (PF) contribution, but it has not been done.

The drivers said that for the first two months, they had a deduction of Rs 2,000, but now, Rs 5,000 is being deducted monthly. “Only some employees have been paid this month, while the rest have not been paid at all. Earlier, we were told that we would be appointed under Tata, but now the records show another company, Arya, as the employer. We were also promised accommodation, but it has not been provided”, the drivers alleged.

A BMTC electric bus driver, talking about their problems, said, “Earlier, the contract papers were different. We have been given Rs 26,660 as CTC, but we are getting Rs 18,000 per month. If we ask for the salary dues, the company representatives behave like rowdies. The management is torturing us. We have given letters thrice seeking to fulfill our demands. We have to make a living, but the company is ignoring us. They give us Rs 2,000 per month for food, but is that enough. A meal costs at least Rs 50, but we have to manage with Rs 33 per day. The government should intervene in the issue, and the Transport Department should be careful before allotting tenders to any companies”.

Shanti Nagar Depot-3 has 136 electric buses and the drivers are working on contract basis in three shifts. As per the tender norms, the company that operates the electric buses has to hire drivers. The salary has been fixed as per the terms of the tenderer company.