Thousands of private workers engaged in loading and unloading parcels at railway stations across India have been waiting for medical facilities from the Railway Board for over two years despite repeated appeals from the chief labour commissioner’s office. | Photo Credit: JOTHI RAMALINGAM B

Thousands of private workers engaged in loading and unloading parcels on railway premises across the country have been waiting for the past two-and-a-half years for medical facilities from the Railway Board following a request from the Central chief labour commissioner.

Under the Railways’ parcel service, two seating-cum-luggage rake (SLR) coaches are attached to express and mail trains to transport various commodities and products.

Labour commissioner urged Railway Board to act

In September 2023, the chief labour commissioner’s office requested the Railway Board chairman to provide medical facilities to loading and unloading staff and consider the union’s demand for medical arrangements at railway hospitals for workers who often sustain injuries while performing their duties on humanitarian grounds.

In January 2024, the commissioner’s office reiterated its appeal to consider the demand of the Indian Railway Loading/Unloading Workers Union.

However, the union said that despite multiple requests, the Railway Board has neither responded to the labour commissioner’s letter nor given any assurance to the workers.

According to the union, these workers operate privately on railway premises across the country but do not receive any payment from the Railways. They earn their wages directly from private parties who transport goods through parcel services.

“In Delhi, roughly 5,000 workers are engaged in loading and unloading services at various platforms. There are more than 800 workers in the New Delhi railway station alone.

“We have been doing this work for the past 40 years, but the Railway Board hasn’t done anything for us,” Rajkumar Indoria said.

Workers cite injuries, lack of basic facilities

He added, “Private companies or individuals who come to railway stations to send parcels directly pay us for loading and unloading goods. We work on railway premises but do not get even the basic facilities. You won’t find a single water cooler near the parcel area at the New Delhi railway station.”

Office-bearers of the union said that these workers carry heavy loads either on their heads or by pulling carts, and physical injuries are common because the nature of the work is hazardous.

“Workers who get injured have to pay for their own treatment. This also results in the loss of working days and earnings. We have demanded free treatment at railway hospitals across the country, but the Railway Board hasn’t paid any heed to our request,” Indoria said.

“We met the chief labour commissioner and briefed him about our condition. He agreed that we should at least receive medical facilities and wrote to the chairman of the Railway Board, but that has not helped either,” he added.

The office-bearers said that the Railways needs to improve earnings from parcel and freight services to continue cross-subsidising passenger services. However, if it ignores the workers’ basic rights, it will not be able to expand its parcel business.

Published on May 25, 2026