ITF Bulletin - No.1 (2009)
Alterar opções do modo sem imagens |
Mudar idioma
| Pular conteúdo
Posição da página: Home > Railways > Women in railways > ITF Bulletin-No.1
ITF translations available:
Français,
Español
Google free translation service:
Deutsch,
Svenska,
Nederlands,
Italiano,
Português,
العربية,
中文,
Polski,
Русский,
日本語,
한국어 [韓國語],
Български,
فارسی
- About these links
Women railway workers in India make gains from government
The Indian Railway employs about 100,000 women workers. They work in all categories, including assistant station masters and assistant train drivers, and in the signal and telecommunication, commercial, electrical and mechanical departments. Railway women workers are organised by the All India Railwaymen’s Federation (AIRF) and the National Federation of Indian Railwaymen (NFIR). The AIRF has set-up an All India Committee of Railway Women Workers at national, zonal and divisional levels. National level meetings are held at least once a year, for which necessary facilities are granted by the railway ministry.
When the 6th Central Pay Commission was appointed by the government in 2006 to review the wage structures and working conditions of central government employees, for the first time, women railway workers were asked to list the issues they faced. The demands they submitted included flexible working hours; better sanitary and public convenience facilities; improvement in leave and the creation of ‘leave banks’ where both a husband and wife work for the same employer; special transport facilities particularly in big cities; day care and crèche facilities; and setting-up of women’s hostels. The AIRF and the NFIR represented the women workers’ case to the railway minister and to the members of the Committee.
In 2008, the commission’s report was approved. As a result, central government staff received an increase in their salaries, on average, of 21-25 percent, backdated to 1 January 2006. The increase came after almost 10 years. To ensure increased participation of women in public sector employment and keeping in mind facilities extended to women workers in other countries, the 6th Central Pay Commission made the following recommendations, most of which have been accepted by the government:
- Maternity leave: to be increased from 135 to 180 days.
- Child care leave: all women employees with children under the age of 18 to be able to take periods of leave totalling up to two years during their period of service to take care of up to two children.
- Day care centres/crèches: to be mandatory in offices where employees (male and female) have pre-school or primary school age children. These could be run on a contributory basis so an appropriate standard of facilities is maintained.
- Accommodation: the government should address the issue of residential accommodation and either build or rent women's hostels.
- Protection of women against domestic violence: the provisions of the Domestic Violence Act to be incorporated in the CCS (conduct) rules. Violations will invoke disciplinary action.
- Traveling allowance on transfer: In cases where transfers of a husband and wife take place within six months, a travelling allowance grant will now be given to the spouse who is transferred later. No such grant shall be admissible where both transfers are ordered within 60 days.
Edited report from Nishi Kapahi – ITF Asia/Pacific Women’s Coordinator
Interview with Jane Barrett, ITF Railway Section Women’s Representative
What are the industrial issues for women railway workers?
The fairly rigid ‘gender division’ of labour that exists needs to be challenged to get more women in core technical and operational functions. Where there are women in these roles, there are challenges in equipment design and ergonomics, in particular of the train cab. Provision of ablution facilities, hours of work, shift patterns and parental rights are also issues.
How are changes to the industry affecting women workers?
In many countries where there has been outsourcing of non-core roles such as health and cleaning services, women have been significantly affected. The challenge is to ensure that these workers continue to be organised and serviced by a union, even if it is not by a rail union. With new technologies, there are new possibilities for women to go into the core railway functions, but the combination of privatisation and new technologies means the workforce is significantly reduced. Therefore the expansion of employment for all workers, but particularly women, is quite limited.
Why should unions encourage women to get involved in union activities and work?
Unions should encourage all workers, but often women need additional encouragement as they feel the burden of additional responsibilities. If women are not organised, it is like having missing links in the chain. Women also have specific interests that need to be represented by women.
What can be done to promote organisation and a more active participation of women in the union?
We need to make sure we take up issues that concern women, that we address their needs, build their self-confidence in participation and provide the skills to lead trade union work.
How can women railway workers participate in ITF and Section activities?
We need to insist that affiliates regularly provide data on women’s membership and remind them of ITF policies in encouraging nomination of women to ITF structures, going so far as applying quotas where appropriate. We also need to impress on affiliates to encourage women members to participate in Action Days and to ensure women members, as for other members, get access to ITF information and publications.
Home page da Seção:
Railways
Outras páginas para Railways:
About This Section | Priorities | Policies | Railway Newsletter | Railway Union Reports
Outras páginas para Women in railways:
ITF Bulletin-No.2 | ITF Bulletin-No.3
Principais seções:
Home | About us | Solidarity | Flags of Convenience campaign | Seafarers | Dockers | Civil Aviation | Railways | Road transport | Urban Transport | Fisheries | Tourism | Inland Navigation | Education | Young workers | Women | ETF Home | Início
Revista Transporte Internacional
Retornar ao modo gráfico
acessibilidade | ajuda do site | mapa do site
ITF House, 49-60 Borough Road, London SE1 1DR | +44 20 7403 2733 | mail@itf.org.uk
