Thousands of employees owing allegiance to the Southern Railway Mazdoor Union (SRMU) will participate in the nationwide indefinite general strike commencing on November 23 along with other Central government employees to condemn 100 per cent Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in railways.
According to N. Kanniah, SRMU general secretary and South Zone Convener of the Joint Action Council comprising various employees’ unions, 100 per cent FDI in railways in the name of restructuring was aimed at fragmenting railways into various units and handing over the railways to multinational companies. This move had created strong resentment among the railway employees who were also demanding restoration of the old pension scheme.
Mr. Kanniah, who is also the working president of the All India Railwaymen’s Federation (AIRF), said the Centre had planned to hand over the Medical Department to private institutions and the railway schools to the Kendriya Vidyalaya. Besides privatising vital services such as track, coach and station maintenance, it was also proposed to let foreign companies take over suburban rail services in metros.
Since there was no response from the Centre despite a series of agitations in the last few years, the unions held a secret ballot in 2013 wherein 96 per cent of the employees voted for going on strike. Privatisation would lead to increase in passenger fare and freight rates, he said.
As mandated under the Trade Union Act, a fresh secret ballot would be held in the first week of October and in November. Notice for the indefinite strike would be served on the General Manager of Zonal Railways and also to the head of Central Government departments. Employees of other departments, including Income Tax, Postal and Defence, would also take part in the strike.
