Salem: Workers attached to the Salem railway goods shed staged a demonstration on Saturday demanding the withdrawal of the recently introduced 24-hour work system and pressing for the fulfilment of various long-pending welfare demands.The protest was organised by the CITU-affiliated Salem railway goods shed loading and unloading workers’ union at the goods shed premises near the old bus stand area. A large number of workers participated in the protest.Protesting workers urged the railway administration to withdraw the “round-the-clock” work order and restore the earlier system under which operations were carried out only between 6am and 6pm. “We also opposed moves to privatise railway goods sheds through facilities such as GCT, PFT and alternative goods shed models,” said A Govindan, union secretary, who headed the protest. He further demanded the issuance of identity cards to workers, implementation of Employees’ State Insurance (ESI) and Provident Fund (PF) schemes, and the provision of basic amenities, including drinking water, rest rooms, bathrooms and toilets.Union president R Venkatapathi and treasurer P.Sakthivel addressed the gathering and explained the workers’ demands.(Photos: S Parthiban)
