New Delhi [India], September 4: Over 15,000 railway workers present on Wednesday at Delhi’s Karnail Singh Stadium to attend 31st National Convention of the National Federation of Indian Railwaymen and the Uttar Railway Mazdoor Union have supported the union leaders’ demands to restore the Old Pension Scheme and regularise the contract workers.
The Union leaders have issued an ultimatum to the government to pay heed to their demands else they have no option but to intensify their movement.
M. Raghavaiah, General Secretary, NFIR, “Indian Railways cannot progress without its workers. The government must address our demands, or else the struggle will grow stronger.”
The key demands of workers are ban on privatization and outsourcing, restoration of OPS and scrapping of New Pension Scheme, recruitment for vacant posts and regularization of contract workers, improved safety, facilities for women employees and promotion of all Group ‘D’ employees to Group ‘C’ and strengthening of health facilities and opposition to privatization of production units and railway hospitals.
“Privatization of railways is dangerous for both workers and the public. This convention is sending a strong message of workers’ unity,” Guman Singh, President, NFIR.
Well-known wrestler Sakshi Malik, who is associated with NFIR, stated that the convention is a symbol of workers’ strength and unity.
“We must continue our struggle against privatization and unfair policies. That is the only path to victory,” Malik said.
The union leaders will deliberate upon ways to confront the government on these issues in the convention which will continue until tomorrow, September 4, 2025.
“Uttar Railway Mazdoor Union has always raised workers’ voices, and OPS restoration and regularization of contract workers remain our top priorities,” B.C. Sharma, General Secretary, URMU said.
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