The central government has given a green signal to work out a solution to a long-standing demand of train drivers for definite time intervals to have food and respond to the nature’s call.
A high-powered committee is constituted by the Ministry of Labour. It has to work out the modalities “to provide defined time intervals for food and attending calls of the nature while on duty for the Loco Running Staff of the Indian Railway”.
The initiative is in line with the International Labour Organisation’s (ILO) Hours of Work (Industry) Convention, 1919. It has been ratified by India.
As per the office-bearers of various unions, the International Labour Organisation’s 1919 convention, for the first time, provided the right to have rest intervals during duty hours to workers and was enforced internationally. However, due to some reasons, the running staff of the Indian Railway remained denied of it.
In 2009, the Indian Railway Loco Runningmen Organisation (IRLRO) first raised the issue.
Office memorandum
On April 18, according to an office memorandum (OM) issued by the chief labour commissioner’s office, the 13-member committee has the chief labour commissioner (central) as its chairman.
Besides, from the Railway Board, five members and one from the Ministry of Women and Child Development (nominated) represent the central government, while the six other members are from different labour unions.
(With inputs from PTI)