The Railway Board is currently evaluating a request to grant women drivers and track maintainers a one-time option to change their job categories. To gather relevant information, the board has reached out to its zones, asking for data on the number of such employees and any pending applications.
In a request sent to all railway zones on October 4, the National Federation of Indian Railwaymen (NFIR) had requested this one-time option for women track maintainers and running staff. The board acknowledged the request and is currently reviewing the matter.
The communication from the board, accessed by PTI, stated, “The matter is under examination in the board’s office, and in this regard, all zonal railways are requested to provide the number of female track maintainers and ALPs…and the number of requests pending as on the date from female track maintainers or female running staff or female staff working in other categories for a change of their assigned categories.”
For those unaware, Assistant train drivers are referred to as assistant loco pilots (ALPs).
Workplace Challenges: Barriers Faced by Female Railway Workers
Women in these roles are seeking a change in job category primarily due to the challenging and unsafe working conditions in field setups, as highlighted by their respective organizations. Many of these requests for job category changes have remained pending with railway zones for several years.
While some women assistant loco pilots and loco pilots of freight and passenger trains have been allowed to work in office settings without officially changing their job categories, challenges persist.
Opposing Views
Sanjay Pandhi, working president of the Indian Railway Loco Runningmen Organisation (IRLRO), expressed opposition to the proposed move. He argued that this approach does not adequately address the underlying issues.
Pandhi pointed out that the challenge arises when women initially take on roles in railway operations or field positions, and later they truly grasp the demanding nature of the work. Pandhi said that there are numerous shortcomings in the services and amenities provided to female workers, including irregular working hours and insufficient opportunities for rest.
In lieu of exploring the possibility of changing job categories, he proposed an alternative strategy where he said that rather than focusing on altering job categories, his recommendation to the railways was to enhance facilities and create a more comfortable environment for women working in field roles, thereby motivating them to continue their work in these areas.
(With PTI Inputs)