Goods Shed Workers Submit Nationwide Deputation to DRMs……
Kolkata, Feb 27: Members of the Bharatiya Railway Mall Godam Shramik Union (BRMGSU) on Thursday submitted deputations to divisional railway managers (DRMs) across multiple railway divisions in the country, raising issues related to basic rights, statutory wages, social security and alleged obstruction of E-Shram awareness programmes concerning goods shed workers working under Indian Railways.
The union said workers engaged in goods shed premises have long been deprived of essential welfare facilities such as clean drinking water, adequate toilets, separate toilets for women, rest rooms for workers, separate rest rooms for women and a hygienic and safe working environment. According to BRMGSU, these facilities are mandatory under the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020.
The union also demanded strict implementation of statutory provisions under the Code on Wages, 2019, including payment of fixed wages as per law, issuance of appointment letters and identity cards, and implementation of EPF and ESI benefits. It alleged that many workers are still deprived of these legal entitlements.
The organisation further claimed that peaceful E-Shram registration drives and social security awareness programmes faced obstruction in some locations. According to the allegations, personnel of the Railway Protection Force interfered in the awareness activities, contractor-backed anti-social elements issued threats, and women union activists faced inappropriate and disrespectful conduct.
The union said such incidents amount to obstruction of lawful trade union activities protected under the Trade Unions Act, 1926 and disturb industrial harmony.
As part of the nationwide programme, deputations were submitted in several railway divisions. In Sealdah division, Sanjeeb Haldar and Sambik Niyogi submitted the representation, while in Howrah division it was led by Sanjay Mitra and Priyatosh Hazra.
In Asansol division, the deputation was led by Nirupama Chakraborty and in Malda by Insan Sheikh. Kharagpur division saw participation from Suman Ghosh and Siddhartha, while Jayanta Haldar and Samanta Kumar Mahato led the programme in Adra.
In Chakradharpur, Haradhan Kaibartta and Prabir Mahato submitted the deputation, while Shantimoy Mukherjee led the effort in Ranchi.
Similar deputations were submitted by S. P. Rana in Raipur, Pankaj Pradhan in Sambalpur, Bhaskar Muduli in Khurda Road, Chandan Majhi in Jodhpur, Prahlad Ram in Ajmer, Chiranjeet Debnath in Alipurduar and Raja Rajnish Kumar Verma in Dhanbad. Deputations were also submitted simultaneously at DRM offices across India, including New Delhi.
Among the key demands raised by the union were written directions for immediate provision of welfare facilities at goods sheds, assurance of safety and non-interference in E-Shram registration and awareness programmes, clear instructions to the RPF to maintain neutrality and ensure protection, action against contractor-backed miscreants, and a joint meeting with union representatives within seven days.
BRMGSU president Parimal Kanti Mondal said the union was not against the administration but was seeking dignity for workers, statutory compliance and industrial harmony. He said that if prompt action is not taken, the union would be compelled to pursue appropriate constitutional and legal remedies.
The union expressed hope that the railway administration would take urgent and appropriate action considering the seriousness of the issues raised.
