Covid-19: Indian Railways to release full salaries of 50k contractual employees till passenger services resume

As the government comes to the rescue of the informal sector and contractual workers who are likely to be worst hit by the Covid-19 outbreak, the Indian Railways has decided to release full salaries of contractual employees even as all its passenger services remain suspended till March 31.

In an order issued on Tuesday, the railways noted that due to prevailing Corona virus situation in India and the stoppage of trains, several contractual staff engaged in on-board housekeeping service, sanitation, pantry car and commercial activities have been stranded and have to compulsorily stay at other places, while others have to be in readiness to attend the duties at a short notice.

“In order to reduce the hardship being faced by these workers, (Railway) Board has decided to treat the employees of private establishments (including temporary, contractual, outsourced) engaged in providing services in trains, stations and offices, directly affected with suspension of services and lock down situations, as ‘on duty’ and be paid accordingly till the expiry of suspension of services or lock down or as advised by the central government in this regard,” the order said.

“Maximum payment which may be made shall be limited to 70 per cent of the contract value for contracts awarded on lump sum basis,” the order stated.

The Railway Board has also issued instructions to Zonal railways to ensure that these employees are not retrenched due to this suspension of services /lockdown and are paid in the manner prescribed.

Source:- Economic Times

Comments

0