In a concerted effort to address their pressing grievances, loco pilots across India are set to hold a significant protest on October 18. Organized by various loco pilots’ unions, the demonstration will take place outside the offices of General Managers in 17 railway zones. The protest aims to draw attention to several key demands, including an increase in running allowances, reduction of vacant posts, and regularization of duty hours.
Union representatives have voiced their concerns over the ongoing issues faced by loco pilots, emphasizing that these demands have been long overdue. L. Mony, President of the All India Loco Running Staff Association (AILRSA), noted that despite previous agitations, the Railway Ministry had constituted two high-level committees a few months ago to address their demands related to duty hours and periodical rests. However, he expressed frustration over the lack of updates from the committees, stating, “While constituting these two committees, the Railway Ministry had directed that their reports would be submitted within one month. But even after three months, there is no update on the decisions of the committees.”
One of the central issues highlighted by the unions is the demand for a 25% increase in running allowances effective from January 1, 2024. Loco pilots report that they are losing between Rs 6,500 to Rs 13,000 each month due to insufficient allowances. Mony further explained that while the dearness allowances were revised by 5% on January 1 and other allowances received a 25% enhancement, the running allowance has remained stagnant.
The AILRSA and the Indian Railway Loco Runningmen’s Organisation (IRLRO), alongside other groups, have been conducting phase-wise agitations for the past month. The earlier phases involved demonstrations at lobby areas and the offices of Divisional Railway Managers (DRMs). Now, the focus has shifted to the offices of General Managers, marking a significant escalation in their protest strategy.
R. Kumaresan, who leads the South Zone of AILRSA, pointed out that the Railway Recruitment Board had issued a notification to recruit 18,000 assistant loco pilots (ALPs) to address the issue of vacant posts. However, he criticized the slow progress of this recruitment process, emphasizing its critical role in resolving the loco pilots’ demands concerning duty hours and periodic rests. “The filling up of vacancies of ALP is crucial to resolve our demand regarding fixing duty hours, periodic rests, outstation duty as well as night duty,” Kumaresan remarked.
As part of the planned protest, the unions’ office-bearers will provide the necessary information or notice to the respective General Managers one week prior to the demonstration, accompanied by a memorandum detailing their demands. The unions assert that loco pilots are currently enduring “unhealthy and inhumane working conditions.” Kumaresan stated, “The running staff are being forced to do unlimited duty hours and night duties. They are also denied minimum periodic rests, leaves, and sick leaves for which they are legally entitled.”
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He further urged all members to actively participate in the upcoming demonstration, describing it as a crucial opportunity to express their collective dissatisfaction with the current management’s handling of their issues. “We have requested all our members to make an effort to make the demonstration before the GM office a massive showdown in order to express our anguish and resentment against the management to force the Railway Ministry to concede to our just demands,” he added.
In response to the unions’ allegations, the Railway Administration has previously dismissed claims regarding inadequate duty hours and rests, asserting that loco pilots are receiving sufficient rest time. Nonetheless, the unions remain steadfast in their position and are determined to push for the necessary changes to improve their working conditions and financial compensation.
As the protest date approaches, it remains to be seen how the Railway Ministry will respond to the loco pilots’ demands and whether the planned demonstration will spur any significant action regarding their grievances.
