Wage revision, casual workers and equal pay proposals announced
By Sitaram Mewati l Mumbai
In a significant development for employees of the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) Undertaking, the BEST Committee has recommended a series of measures covering wage revision, notional pay fixation for casual workers and equal pay for wet-lease contractual employees.
As per a press note issued by the BEST authority, the recommendations follow discussions between the BEST administration and trade unions to address long-pending demands of employees. The proposals will be forwarded through the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to the Study Committee constituted by the Maharashtra Government.
The recommendations are expected to benefit more than 38,200 employees and cover three major areas.
The first proposal relates to revision of the wage settlement for 2016 to 2025 in line with the 7th Pay Commission. The Committee has recommended placing BEST employees in pay levels equivalent to those applicable to Maharashtra Government and BMC employees. Around 27,000 employees are expected to benefit, with arrears estimated at ₹6,000 crore.
The second recommendation concerns casual workers. In accordance with High Court orders relating to their absorption into regular service from March 31, 2016, the Committee has proposed notional pay fixation from their actual date of joining, without payment of financial arrears. Around 2,200 workers are expected to benefit, with an estimated financial implication of ₹300 crore.
The third proposal seeks implementation of “Equal Pay for Equal Work” for wet-lease and other contractual workers. Citing legal opinions and provisions under the Maharashtra Contract Labour Rules, 1971, the Committee has recommended wages at par with permanent employees for eligible workers. Around 9,000 contractual workers could benefit, involving an additional annual financial burden of ₹475 crore on BEST.
The Maharashtra Government had constituted a Study Committee headed by the Additional Chief Secretary (UD-1), Urban Development Department, to examine the long-pending demands. Its first meeting was held on August 20, 2026.
The BEST Committee’s recommendations will now move through the BMC to the State Government-appointed Study Committee for further consideration and necessary approvals.
Editor in Chief : Mewati SItaram
