Operations at the mechanised laundry at Gorakhpur Junction were halted for two hours on Wednesday, after approximately 300 outsourced employees went on strike to protest non-payment of their salaries for the last two months. With the festival of Diwali approaching, the workers stopped all washing, cleaning and packing work at around 9 am and began a protest at the laundry's gate.

Core Grievances Of the Employees

The protesting employees detailed several key issues:

Unpaid Salaries: The workers have not received their salaries for two months from the previous contractor, whose contract has now ended. A new agency has been appointed by the railway administration to handle the laundry services.

Wage Discrepancy: The previous agency was paying them only Rs 12,000 per month, despite a stipulated wage of Rs 18,000. Now, even this reduced amount has been withheld.

Hardship: The employees stated that the lack of payment has made it difficult to manage their households and questioned how they would be able to celebrate the upcoming Diwali festival.

Intimidation: They alleged that whenever they demand their rightful pay, supervisors and officials intimidate them with threats of dismissal. They also claimed that female workers are being forced to work without their concerns being addressed.

The workers resumed their duties only after railway officials intervened and assured them that their wages would be paid as soon as possible.

Recurring Issue And Union Response

This incident is not isolated. A month ago, sanitation workers at Gorakhpur Junction had also gone on strike over unpaid wages, picketing the bungalow of the Principal Chief Mechanical Engineer before receiving a partial payment.

Also Read: Haryana Roadways Announces Extra Buses From Gurugram For Diwali 2025

KL Gupta, General Secretary of the NE Railway Mazdoor Union (NERMU), criticised the railway administration for its indifference, stating that the employees are being exploited. He vowed that the union would raise the issue at all levels, from the General Manager to the Railway Ministry and the Railway Board.

Also Read: Bihar Elections: JDU Announces 44 Candidates, Fields 4 Muslims; Check Full List Of 101 Names

Impact Of The Work Stoppage

- The mechanised laundry at Gorakhpur Junction is a critical facility.

- It prepares 25,000 bedroll packets and 50,000 bedsheets daily.

- The linen prepared here is supplied to 33 different trains.