AIRF affiliated Unions started protest against the Privatisation of Railways

Common public will also be made aware as part of public campaign against privatisation

As part of the continuing resistance movement of All India Railwaymens’ Federation (AIRF) and National Railway Mazdoor Union (NRMU-CR/KR) against the privatisation of the railways, it has decided to conduct nationwide week long protest programs starting from 14th September to 19th September 2020.

Accordingly considering the constraints of mobility of the people created by the outbreak of Covid-19 and subsequent guidelines/protocols issued by the government, NRMU (CR/KR) has planned to hold following programs in compliance to the directives issued by AIRF.

14th September 2020: All branches will hold branch council/managing committee meeting ensuring presence of maximum youth ad women activists and will explain the Office Bearers/MCMs in detail about series of decisions taken by the government against the interest of railway staff with focus particularly on the various adverse impact of Privatisation of Railways.

The meeting will be held strictly in adherence to Covid-19 guidelines with sensible choice of physical/virtual mode on feasibility.

The subject of deliberations will evolve around the example of destruction of rail transport system after Privatisation in many developed foreign countries such as UK, Argentina, Japan, Canada, Sweden, Australia, New Zealand, Spain, Italy, Ireland, Germany, France, etc and how the government in many of the countries were compelled to reclaim the transport system back in state control.

Attendees will be explained how the workers are being utterly exploited there with more working hours, denial of wage, allowances and other social security benefits, how the safety provisions are compromised for profiteering resulting in accidents etc.

The evil effect of privatisation which includes loss of employment opportunity to educated unemployed youth will be explained to staff as well as travelling public.

The consequential effect of deprival of the constitutional privilege of reservation to deserving communities will also be explained.

The threat of exorbitant fare hike, abolition of hundreds of concessions and even curtailment of the present travelling privileges being enjoyed by staff also will be explained.

Apart from the issue of Privatization, all OBs/MCMs will be explained about the series of detrimental decisions being taken by the present government against the interest of railway staff including the NPS, reduction of staff & surrendering of posts, amendments of IREC, labour laws and HOER provisions.

Curtailment of trade union rights, revision of yardsticks, amalgamation of cadres, multi skilling, freezing of DA, deprival of legitimate allowances, outsourcing of core and non core activities, corporatization of Production Units.

Intentional implementation of draconian rules of premature retirement, DAR provisions & conduct rules and denial of staff welfare at work place and in residential colonies, said Venu P. Nair, GS/NRMU-CR/KR in a press release.

15th September 2020: Each Branch office bearer will hold gate meetings at convenient time (preferably at lunch time) and at their choice of conspicuous place and will explain the details deliberated in their respective BCM/MCM the previous day.

Common public will also be made aware as part of a public campaign against privatization and will seek their support in the resistance movement being carried out by NRMU (CR/KR) and AIRF.

16th September 2020: Seminar/webinar would be organized by General Secretary at Union HQ.

19th September 2020:  All staff performing their duties at different workplaces across Central Railway and Konkan Railway will wear Black Protest Cards/badges as a mark of protest against various autocratic policy decisions of government against the interest of railwaymen, the common citizens of the country and pushing the largest rail transport system of the world to destruction.