Women conductors upset with shiftless work, BMTC releases shift chart

Nearly 1500 women conductors are working in BMTC and they are upset with shiftless duty which means working for 14 hours at a stretch. Following protests by the women, BMTC has decided to ease their situation.

Bengaluru (Karnataka): Due to Covid pandemic, transport services across the state were at a standstill. BMTC services have been provided only to Covid warriors in the city. Thus BMTC has removed the shift-based work system following lesser operations of buses and brought in a general shift for its employees, which includes first, second and night shifts. Following this, conductors and drivers protested against overtime duty.

Opposing an unscientific duty chart, drivers and conductors protested at BMTC central office situated in Shantinagar and urged for shift-wise duty as it was before. Nearly 1500 women conductors are working in BMTC and they are upset with shiftless duty. Though it was a general shift BMTC imposed more than 14-hour duty on them, stated women conductors.

How they have victimized by general shift

- Due to 14 hours duty, no time for breakfast-lunch

- No availability of rest-room facility

- Due to overwork conductors underwent stress.

- Conductors spend the whole day on the bus, no time for rest

What are the new rules of BMTC

- First priority should be given to women conductors while allotting all routes

- Special priority should be given while allotting routes to pregnant and women conductors who have infants.

- Night shifts should be allotted to those who wanted.

Night shift was in force, but...

Due to Covid pandemic, BMRC has withdrawn 50 per cent of its buses, leaving only half operating in the city. If women want to do night shifts, BMTC has to take acceptance letters from them and place them on temporary duty, instructed the BMTC Chief Traffic manager.

Read: Bengaluru: Police arrest nine for enforcing strike on BMTC staff