Railway employees demand restoration of old pension scheme and halt to railway privatization
Railway employees belonging to the NER Railway Mazdoor Congress have raised their voices demanding the restoration of the old pension scheme and an immediate stop to railway privatization during a recent union office inauguration event in Siwan. Union leaders strongly criticized newer pension policies and pressed the government for urgent financial and operational reforms to safeguard employee interests.
Key highlights from the railway employees meeting in Siwan include:
- Demand for immediate restoration of the Old Pension Scheme as a social and economic security guarantee.
- Call to abolish the Rs 7,000 PLB bonus ceiling and calculate bonus based on a Rs 21,000 minimum wage yielding Rs 53,855.
- Strong opposition to railway privatization with ongoing protests across the North Eastern Railway zone.
- Demand for swift implementation of the 8th Pay Commission along with arrears.
- Requests to fill vacant posts in the Varanasi division and stop 12-hour duty shifts.
New Office Inauguration and Key Demands
The newly constructed office of the NER Railway Mazdoor Congress Siwan branch was inaugurated by retired railway employee and social activist Anil Kumar Srivastava by cutting a ribbon. During the ceremony, central president Subhash Dubey stated that the Old Pension Scheme is a guarantee of social and economic security for employees. He noted that employees are filled with disappointment and anger regarding the New Pension Scheme and the Unified Pension Scheme, firmly demanding the government restore the old scheme to secure the post-retirement lives of staff.
General Secretary Akhilesh Pandey highlighted that within just 18 months of receiving union recognition, employee-centric development works across the entire North Eastern Railway zone have accelerated, leading to the resolution of long-pending promotions and financial upgrades. However, he pressed the Railway Ministry to abolish the Rs 7,000 Productivity Linked Bonus ceiling and calculate payouts based on a minimum wage of Rs 21,000 resulting in a bonus payment of Rs 53,855.
Privatization Opposition and Working Conditions
Varanasi Division President Manoj Kumar demanded the speedy implementation of the 8th Pay Commission with arrears. He strongly opposed railway privatization, warning that union protests will continue across the zone if privatization measures persist. Echoing these concerns, Divisional Secretary Rakesh Pal demanded the immediate filling of vacant posts in the Varanasi division, an increase in GDCE vacancies across the North Eastern Railway, and a complete stop to 12-hour duty shifts. He also called for the prompt issuance of the notification for the 10 percent intake quota for trackmen.
The event was successfully conducted with branch treasurer Ramaiya Mishra serving as master of ceremonies and branch president Deepak Yadav delivering the vote of thanks, while divisional vice president Bittu Yadav felicitated guests with bouquets and mementoes in the presence of numerous railway workers and union officials.