A loco pilots’ union welcomed the invitation extended to 10 Vande Bharat train drivers to the swearing-in ceremony on June 9 in Delhi. However, they expressed their dissatisfaction with the working conditions of drivers and reiterated its long-pending demand for an improvement.
“We welcome the decision of the government but these symbolic measures don’t bring real relief to the frontline workers. Loco pilots, especially the female ones, have pathetic working conditions and all our demands have fallen on deaf ears of the government as of now,” M Thirumurugan, secretary general of the Indian Railway Loco Runningmen Organisation (IRLRO), said.
What are the issues loco pilots are facing?
The Indian Railways has over 1.27 lakh loco pilots engaged in driving several types of passenger and freight trains, including inter-city, superfast, mail, express as well as semi-high speed.
Thirumurugan said that these loco pilots are being deprived of basic facilities such as lunch and washroom breaks while they are on nine-hour duty, which often gets extended to 15-16 hours.
The IRLRO women’s wing raised several issues, including the lack of toilet facilities in engines, the inability to change menstrual pads, the mandatory requirement to leave the engine to address technical glitches even at night, and the absence of pick-up and drop-off services for late-night duties, among other concerns.
“Women are facing multiple miscarriages due to the nature of the job. They are not able to get nursing break facilities due to long-running duty in violation of maternity benefit law,” a female loco pilot and office bearer of the IRLRO said.
As of now over 1,500 women are employed as loco pilots and assistant loco pilots in the railway zones across India and have raised their concerns with the Railway Board. Women drivers note that while the railways are introducing new locomotives with washroom facilities, such as those in the Vande Bharat trains, it will take a long time to replace the older models.
They complained about having to drink minimal water to avoid needing a toilet, which leads to various health issues. A group of female loco pilots presented a representation to Railway Board chairperson Jaya Varma Sinha, highlighting their plight and demanding a “one-time cadre change” option.
(With PTI inputs)
