After the successful mobilisation of stationmasters at Pakistan Railways, the signal staff have taken action for the improvement of their working conditions. The exploitation of capitalism has forced the signal workers to break regulations in order to maintain the efficiency of Pakistan Railways. The workers are on duty for 24 hours at a time. If there are any problems the signal workers can be called in for work. A team of three workers is responsible for the maintenance of seven stations. In order to complete their tasks the workers have to travel by road rather than by train, as is stipulated in the regulations.Â
If the workers get into an
accident on the roads during working hours Pakistan Railways is not responsible
for compensation. Despite these pressures and problems the signal staff have
made sure that the old signal system works, according to the demands of the
department. However, despite the excellent work of the workers, capitalism has
thrown them into the misery of poverty and illiteracy. The workers work
according to pay scales that have not changed since 1974. Due to these low
wages and the effective freezing of pay scales, many workers have been forced
to leave their jobs in pursuit of better work.
The workers have had enough. The signal staff have organised themselves to struggle for their rights. They have elected an organising committee to represent them and have called for demonstration for when the Federal Railways Minister visits Lahore.
The PTUDC has established good relations with these workers and has pledged to do all it can to help advance their struggle. The PTUDC is now planning on launching a nation-wide campaign of struggle in solidarity with the signal workers.