New Delhi: The Center has agreed to address the long-standing demand of train drivers to have fixed time intervals for meals and respond to the call of nature.
The Labor Ministry has constituted a high-powered committee to work out the modalities "for providing scheduled time intervals for meals and call attending while on duty for loco running staff of Indian Railways".
This initiative is in line with the International Labor Organization (ILO) Hours of Working (Industry) Convention, 1919, which has been ratified by India.
According to officials of various unions, the ILO's 1919 convention first gave workers the right to rest periods during duty and was implemented internationally. However, due to some reasons the running staff of Indian Railways was deprived of this.
The Indian Railway Loco Runningmen's Organization (IRLRO) first raised the issue in 2009 and since then, it has made several representations at various forums, including the National Human Rights Commission, the Parliamentary Committee on Subordinate Legislation and the Parliamentary Committee on Labour.“In 2018, for the first time, the Labor Ministry decided to address the issue when it was revealed that women loco pilots were most affected by the deplorable working conditions and finally, in 2024, the committee has been constituted.” said Sanjay Pandhi, acting president of IRLRO.
According to an office memorandum (OM) issued by the office of the Chief Labor Commissioner on April 18, the 13-member committee is headed by the Chief Labor Commissioner (Central).
In addition, five members from the Railway Board and one (nominated) from the Ministry of Women and Child Development represent the government, while six other members are from various trade unions.
Senior assistant loco pilot Ashima Sachdeva, the only woman member of the labor unions, said, “Women loco pilots have to spend a tough time on duty as there are many issues related to women, like inability to change menstrual pads as there is no toilet.“There is heavy work going on in the engine and after C-section delivery, we will put forward our issues before the committee to get those things right.”
The first meeting of the committee was held on 25 April and the report was satisfactory.
According to the OM, the committee will work on the suggestions for amendments to the Railways Act, 1989 as well as implementation of "Prescribe time intervals for attending meals and calls of nature while on duty" for train drivers and railway employees ( working hours). and Rest Period) Rules, 2005.
The committee will discuss and decide on its modalities "by recording the views and comments of all stakeholders, railway administration, IRLRO etc."It will also examine the comments of Manyata Mahasangh on this issue.
One of the terms of reference of the panel states, “The Committee shall submit its report within 12 months."
The Labor Ministry has constituted a high-powered committee to work out the modalities "for providing scheduled time intervals for meals and call attending while on duty for loco running staff of Indian Railways".
This initiative is in line with the International Labor Organization (ILO) Hours of Working (Industry) Convention, 1919, which has been ratified by India.
According to officials of various unions, the ILO's 1919 convention first gave workers the right to rest periods during duty and was implemented internationally. However, due to some reasons the running staff of Indian Railways was deprived of this.
The Indian Railway Loco Runningmen's Organization (IRLRO) first raised the issue in 2009 and since then, it has made several representations at various forums, including the National Human Rights Commission, the Parliamentary Committee on Subordinate Legislation and the Parliamentary Committee on Labour.“In 2018, for the first time, the Labor Ministry decided to address the issue when it was revealed that women loco pilots were most affected by the deplorable working conditions and finally, in 2024, the committee has been constituted.” said Sanjay Pandhi, acting president of IRLRO.
According to an office memorandum (OM) issued by the office of the Chief Labor Commissioner on April 18, the 13-member committee is headed by the Chief Labor Commissioner (Central).
In addition, five members from the Railway Board and one (nominated) from the Ministry of Women and Child Development represent the government, while six other members are from various trade unions.
Senior assistant loco pilot Ashima Sachdeva, the only woman member of the labor unions, said, “Women loco pilots have to spend a tough time on duty as there are many issues related to women, like inability to change menstrual pads as there is no toilet.“There is heavy work going on in the engine and after C-section delivery, we will put forward our issues before the committee to get those things right.”
The first meeting of the committee was held on 25 April and the report was satisfactory.
According to the OM, the committee will work on the suggestions for amendments to the Railways Act, 1989 as well as implementation of "Prescribe time intervals for attending meals and calls of nature while on duty" for train drivers and railway employees ( working hours). and Rest Period) Rules, 2005.
The committee will discuss and decide on its modalities "by recording the views and comments of all stakeholders, railway administration, IRLRO etc."It will also examine the comments of Manyata Mahasangh on this issue.
One of the terms of reference of the panel states, “The Committee shall submit its report within 12 months."
