Pics: Joshwa D'souza
Daijiworld Media Network-Mangaluru (JD)

Mangaluru, Jun 30: Urging the fulfilment of various demands the Mangaluru division of the Southern Railway Mazdoor Union (SRMU) staged a protest at the Mangaluru Central Railway Station premises on Thursday, June 30.

Addressing the gathered, the president of SRMU Palghat division, Anand said, “We are protesting to get out basic necessity that is the salary hike. The commission headed by the cabinet Secretary of railways had sent a proposal stating the basic salary must be hiked to 26,000. But the central government has rejected this proposal and is playing our lives by increasing it in accordance with the recommendations of seventh pay commission.” 

“Considering our basic salary as 7000 at present, we are paid on the receipt of 15500. But the government instead of hiking the price on 15500, it has given the 23 percent hike on 7000 which itself is a cheating.” 

“With the 100 percent FDI in railways, the government is planning to hand over people's railway to the private players. If that happens millions of railway workers will come to road. The government has hit on our stomach by implementing the new pension scheme under which no pension will be given after the retirement. We take all these measures as a challenge and accept it.”

“In Andhra Pradesh employees are given 27,500 as the basic pay. If it can be given in Andhra it can be given in railways too. If our demands are not met by July 11, we will not work on that day thus bringing the Southern railways to a halt.”

Assistant general secretary of SRMU national committee also addressed the gathered in Malayalam.

The protestors held a march in the station premises prior to the protest.