The Pakistan Railway Employees Union held a protest demonstration on Karachi Cantt Station premises on Thursday against rising inflation and low salaries. The demonstration was led by union’s President Syed Shahid Iqbal.
Speaking on the occasion, Iqbal criticised Pakistan Railway Minister Khwaja Saad Rafique over worsening life standard of railway employees due to low wages and said the railway minister was all time engaged in defending the prime minister instead of focusing on his ministry’s affairs. He further said before announcement of new budget increment in prices of groceries items was a bitter question for the government and it was tantamount to economic murder of labourers. “Despite inflation the salary of railway employees was quite low which created difficulties in their daily life.”
He said: “If a labourer spends on eating food he cannot afford clothing and medical expenses due to high inflation and their low wages. In Pakistan Railway, a labourer is paid Rs 13,000 salary per month. His salary should be raised by at least Rs 25,000 so that they can spend their lives peacefully.”
He said the railway administration had withdrawn all incentives of the labourers which showed that the Pakistan Muslim League (N) had no mercy for the poor employees. He said the railway administration needed to change its behaviour and immediately stop maltreatment of workers. Recruitment of workers should be made on permanent basis and their salaries be raised in the upcoming budget in accordance with inflation ratio, he demanded.
Nasarllullah Khan, a union activist, also addressed the demonstration. He said: “The country’s budget is only for rulers, rich people, and landlords. They are least bothered about the oppressed people who are passing their lives under extreme poverty. Corruption is uncontrolled, bribery has increased and democracy does not exist in the country anymore.”
A large number of labourers joined the demonstration and shouted slogans in favour of their rights. Protesters were holding placards and banners inscribed with their demands.