Railways employees calls off two days strike after Rs 1 billion grant

Pakistan Railways’ employees called off their two days strike on Tuesday after issuance of Rs 1 billion ad hoc Grant by the Ministry of the Finance for the payment of the salaries.

On the second day of the strike, the activists of the Pakistan Railways Employees (PREM) Union had arrived at the Lahore Railway Station to ensure that no engine could roll out of the engine shed. Meanwhile some protesters reached the office of the Divisional Superintendent Officer (DSO) and locked its rooms.

Railways’ employees had started Wheel-Jam strike on Monday against the non-payment of the salaries and disconnection of the electricity and the gas from 26 colonies.

The Union activists were also raising slogans against the government when their central representative Sulman Butt announced that payment of the salaries had begun in Karachi.

“All employees will get their salaries in couple of days and strike is being called for the time being. We will again bring operation of the all trains to a halt if the salaries are again delayed.” He said.

He further said representatives of the Unions would soon forward their decided recommendations for the revival of the Railway.

The president of the Rail Mazdoor Ittehad, Sarfaraz Khan alleged the neglecting attitudes of the successive governments for the destruction of the safest and the economical transportation of the country.

“People get their seats reserved in advance but are told after reaching railway stations that trains has either been cancelled or will depart after hours,” he added. “A lack of proper seating arrangements, unavailability of potable water and other facilities at the railways stations aggravate the agony of such customers in summers.”

Sheikh Mohammad Anwar, the Senior Vice President of the Union demanded Chief Justice of Pakistan, Chuadry Iftkhar Hussain to establish a judicial committee to pinpoint the root cause of the downfall of the Pakistan Railway.

The leaders of the Unions also warned government of the protests that could be arranged if suitable measures are not taken for the revival of the Railways.

On Monday evening, the President of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari had asked the government to hand over the issue to Council of Common Interest (CCI) for the consensus solution of the problems.

Posted by Waqas Munir on Oct 19 2011. Filed under Latest News, National, Pakistan. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry