The Central Railway Mazdoor Sangh (CRMS) staged a symbolic one-day hunger strike at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) on Tuesday, highlighting the lack of separate washroom facilities and inadequate working conditions for women assistant loco pilots (ALPs) and track maintainers.
The protest, led by CRMS leader Vivek Shishodia, witnessed participation from several women ALPs and track maintainers.During the strike, the women workers raised concerns about unsafe working conditions, lack of basic amenities, and discriminatory infrastructure in remote areas.“The absence of separate washroom facilities makes it unsafe and uncomfortable for us to work at remote areas, especially during duty hours,” said a protesting ALP.
She added that the lack of separate restrooms is particularly challenging during menstruation, leading to physical stress and health complications.Women track maintainers also voiced concerns about shared gang huts with male workers, emphasizing the urgent need for separate gang huts for female workers.
They highlighted the physically demanding nature of their jobs, including standing for long hours under the sun and lifting heavy equipment, which becomes even more taxing during menstruation.The protestors demanded immediate action from railway authorities to address these issues and called for cadre changes, as implemented in other divisions, to improve safety and working conditions.
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“How can we work when basic safety and essential facilities are not provided? We feel unsafe and uncomfortable in our roles,” said one of the protestors.
The CRMS has urged authorities to prioritize these concerns and take swift action to improve the working conditions for women.
