48-Hour Loco Pilot Hunger Strike Set to Conclude Tomorrow

Thiruvananthapuram: The 48-hour hunger strike by the All India Loco Running Staff Association (AILRSA) against the railway board’s policies continues. The protest committee stated that of the 12.5 lakh railway employees, 2.45 lakh vacancies remain unfilled, with the rising number of accidents attributed to this administrative negligence.

Many vacancies have not even undergone initial recruitment tests. Reports indicate that recruitment should occur annually to replace approximately 5,000 retiring loco pilots, but no action has been taken since 2018.

The decision to raise the travel allowance (TA) from January 1, 2024, exclusively for running staff—while excluding other employees—has been criticised as discriminatory. Running staff have also been denied income tax benefits.

Financial decisions of this nature are expected to be taken collectively by the Railway Finance Chairman and Board members. However, since they are not directly affected, they reportedly have not intervened. Protesters also allege that employees are working without sufficient rest periods.

On the second day of the hunger strike in Ernakulam, union speakers included Divisional Vice President J Venugopal, Southern Railway Mahila Convener Arathi George, Sundari, and DREU Divisional President M L Vibi.

The nationwide 48-hour LRS workers’ strike is scheduled to conclude at 10 am on Thursday.