SRMU opposes privatisation move

Madurai: The Southern Railway Mazdoor Union (SRMU) has expressed concern over the increasing privatisation moves in the railways, as it feels that it would render scores of employees jobless.According to the SRMU general secretary, N. Kanniah, the move to privatise operations such as coach cleaning, train maintenance and supply of bedrolls to passengers will result in at least 2 lakh employees losing their jobs. "The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation taking over catering services in the railways has left 6,000 employees unemployed and efforts are on to accommodate them in other departments."

Talking to reporters here on Wednesday, he said that 1.75 lakh vacancies in safety category services were unfilled forcing the staff to work for 10 to 12 hours. Unmindful of the growing unemployment problem and the threat to safety in rail operations, the railway administration was downsizing manpower in various departments.Accusing the Sixth Pay Commission of practising "anti-labour" attitude, he said that the move to introduce performance-based incentives would divide the work force.

The SRMU had submitted a memorandum to the Pay Commission seeking Rs. 1,000 as interim relief. The union had also sought a basic pay of Rs. 11,000 for non-technical Group D employees, Rs. 13,500 for trackmen/assistant technicians and Rs. 18,000 for clerical staff, he added.Earlier, Mr. Kanniah took part in a meeting of SRMU office-bearers form Madurai Division. The divisional secretary, R. Kesavan, and assistant divisional secretary, J.M. Rafiq, among others, took part.