LUCKNOW – Following a six-month-long campaign by the Rashtriya Coolie Morcha (National Porters’ Front) to address employment and social security issues, the Railway Board has ordered an investigation into the living and working conditions of porters. The directive has been sent to all Divisional Railway Managers (DRMs) across the country.
During this period, the Rashtriya Coolie Morcha will also conduct its own survey among porters nationwide and submit a detailed report to Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and the Railway Board. The Morcha has also decided to hold “Employment Conferences” for porters at all divisional and zonal headquarters. These decisions were made during a virtual meeting of the organization today.
In a statement about the meeting, the Morcha’s National Coordinator, Ram Suresh Yadav, explained that over the past six months, representatives had written to heads of various political parties and Members of Parliament. They also organized events at railway stations to send a charter of demands to the Railway Minister. This consistent effort brought the livelihood crisis faced by porters due to modernization and privatization into a national discussion.
Yadav detailed the scope of the Morcha’s forthcoming survey, which will mirror a similar exercise conducted in 2008. The study will focus on:
- The possibility of absorbing porters into railway jobs.
- The impact of privatization initiatives such as the “My Coolie” app, trolley systems, and battery-operated rickshaws on their livelihoods.
- The status of free education for their children.
- Healthcare facilities for their families.
- The condition of their rest houses and the implementation of other social security schemes.
The findings from this comprehensive study will be compiled into a report and submitted to the Railway Minister and the Railway Board.
Yadav also highlighted the Morcha’s broader economic perspective, citing renowned economists who believe that if a proper tax is levied on the assets of the top 200 corporate houses and black money is integrated into the economy, there would be no shortage of resources in the country. This, he argued, could guarantee dignified employment and ensure rights to education, health, and pensions for all citizens, including porters. “The Constitution of India guarantees a life of dignity for every citizen. It is the government’s responsibility to solve the livelihood crisis of porters and ensure their social security,” he added.
The meeting was conducted by Chandeshwar Mukhiya, a leader of the Rashtriya Coolie Morcha, and saw participation from representatives of every railway division and major station. Speakers included Rambabu Bilala, Zafar Khan, Ram Mahawar, Umesh Sharma, Rustam Makrani, Dinesh Kumar Mukhiya, Dharmveer Singh, Anil Savle, Kaleem Makrani, Rajkumar Yadav, Arun Kumar Yadav, Namdar Ali, Gufran Ahmed, Sanjay Paswan, Chandru Y. Chalvadi, Nadeem, Rahul Kumar, Anil Mandal, Chhoti Turiwo, Abhay Kumar, Arun Kumar Mahto, Kanhaiya Gwala, Ram Bhawan, Mohammad Hashim, Shekhar Rehmatullah, Rafeeq Bhai, and Shivram, among others.
