'Women loco pilots are facing inhuman conditions', AILRSA alleges; Warning to intensify agitation

The demand for decent and hygienic workplaces for women loco pilots operating trains continues to increase. All India Loco Running Staff Association (AILRSA) for the cause has decided to widen the agitation. The association announced that it will convene a national women's conference. Apart from it, the association put forth nine essential demands, and those are the availability of a toilet while on duty, compulsory leave when pregnant, better rest facilities, and hiring of a gynecologist on a daily basis in railway clinics.

However, amid growing protests, the Railway Ministry said that they have recently taken several steps to improve the working conditions of both male and female loco pilots. Waterless urinals have been installed in more than 900 locomotives, and air conditioning in more than 7,000. All running rooms have been air-conditioned for comfort at outstations.

AILRSA organized a women loco pilots' conference on June 24 at Erode, Tamil Nadu, wherein 25 women representatives from six divisions joined the conference. The conference strongly condemned the poor working conditions and the attitude of the railway administration, which forced 11 women staff members to quit.

In this case, the association said that new locomotives have waterless toilets, which are not suitable for women. Therefore, they are demanding water toilets and the construction of toilets near starting points. Apart from this, they have demanded making maternity and child care leaves be made mandatory, providing facilities to lactating mothers to return to headquarters after every journey. Along with this, there is a demand to provide safe and comfortable accommodation for women employees.

Apart from this, AILRSA has made many important demands for women railway employees. They have said that separate crew rooms and clean toilets should be built for women at every train booking point. Also, the names of the members of the 'Internal Complaints Committee' should be displayed everywhere so that women can easily report their problems.

The association also said that we have demanded that the punishment or penalty given against women loco pilots who demanded child care leave and leave without pay should be withdrawn. Also, women should be given leave during menstruation, and gynecologists should be present in railway hospitals every day. Apart from this, additional arrangements should be made to increase the number of women employees and leave like maternity, child care, so that they do not face any problem during work.