CRMS Hunger Strike at CSMT Over Unsafe Conditions for Women Workers

To draw attention to the dearth of separate restrooms and unfavourable working conditions for female assistant loco pilots (ALPs) and track maintainers, the Central Railway Mazdoor Sangh (CRMS) organised a symbolic one-day hunger strike at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) on Tuesday.

Several female ALPs and track maintainers participated in the demonstration, which was organised by CRMS head Vivek Shishodia. Women workers voiced complaints during the walkout regarding discriminatory infrastructure in rural places, hazardous working conditions, and a lack of basic amenities. “Working in remote areas is unsafe and uncomfortable due to the lack of separate lavatory facilities, especially during duty hours,” an ALP protester stated.

The absence of separate facilities, she continued, is especially problematic during menstruation, resulting in health issues and physical stress. Concerns regarding shared gang huts with male employees were also raised by female track maintainers, who emphasised the pressing necessity for separate gang huts for female employees.

They emphasised how physically exhausting their occupations are, requiring them to lift heavy equipment and stand for extended periods in the sun. This is made significantly more difficult while they are menstruating. In order to enhance safety and working conditions, the demonstrators called for modifications to the cadre, similar to those made in other divisions, and urged that railway officials take quick action to address these problems.

When fundamental facilities and safety are lacking, how can we function? One of the demonstrators remarked, “We feel uneasy and unsafe in our roles.” The CRMS has called on policymakers to give these issues top priority and act quickly to enhance women’s working conditions.

Source: The Free Press Journal

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