MP PR Natarajan writes to Southern Railways to ensure safety of railway employees amidst Covid-19 second wave
Coimbatore: The second wave of the coronavirus is spreading rapidly. Various preventive measures are being taken on behalf of the government. As part of this, Marxist Party Coimbatore MP PR Natarajan has written to the Southern Railway Manager and Division Manager urging them to make safety arrangements for all railway employees.
In his letter to the Southern Railways he wrote saying, "A second wave of coronavirus is actively spreading across the country. Lack of oxygen and vaccines is not completely solved. Due to this the number of deaths is increasing day by day. The Tamil Nadu government has declared a complete lockdown from May 10 to May 24 to break the chain of coronavirus infections. Due to the complete lockdown, train services, including public transport and metro, have been canceled.
The central government has mandated that 50% of government employees should be on leave and that 50% of them come to work. In the Southern Railway, 50% of workers in government offices, sheds and shops are employed on a rotational basis. I want to make sure that they are provided with preventive safety equipment."
He added, "Also in railway hospitals I urge you to keep the required oxygen medicines ready at all times. Thousands of employees are working tirelessly on the open line on the runway of engineering, traffic, electrical AC / DL, signal, garage, mechanical, TRT, driving card in the railway sector. I would like to bring to their attention that in the past during pandemic the staff in the engineering area were working in groups without social distancing and engaged in hard work without any safety equipment."
he further wrote, "It has come to my attention that in this situation there is currently a serious wave of Coronavirus and open line employees have not yet been provided with the required Coronavirus protection equipment. It is also learned that no projects have been implemented so far, including working in rotational shift basis. More than 700 railway employees died during the last wave. Continuing to ignore safety is a cause for concern. Immediately the Southern Railway Manager should ensure coronavirus safety for their open line staff."
He also said, "Due to the complete lockdown, public transport on the bus was completely stopped and 50% of the staff, including outsiders, had to be employed on a rotational basis. Tasks must be provided by ensuring social distancing and Coronavirus safety equipment, PPE kits. temperature testing should take place. Special leave and rest should be given to those with coronavirus infection.
Due to the lack of public transport facilities including buses, the Workman Special trains have to be operated again in all divisions. Implementation of safety orders on the railways must be ensured at all times. For example, in the Erode diesel shed, it has come to my notice that the order of the Coronavirus prevention measures is not being implemented for the disabled. I therefore kindly request that immediate action be taken to provide safety to the Railway Open Line staff and other railway workers."
In his letter to the Southern Railways he wrote saying, "A second wave of coronavirus is actively spreading across the country. Lack of oxygen and vaccines is not completely solved. Due to this the number of deaths is increasing day by day. The Tamil Nadu government has declared a complete lockdown from May 10 to May 24 to break the chain of coronavirus infections. Due to the complete lockdown, train services, including public transport and metro, have been canceled.
The central government has mandated that 50% of government employees should be on leave and that 50% of them come to work. In the Southern Railway, 50% of workers in government offices, sheds and shops are employed on a rotational basis. I want to make sure that they are provided with preventive safety equipment."
He added, "Also in railway hospitals I urge you to keep the required oxygen medicines ready at all times. Thousands of employees are working tirelessly on the open line on the runway of engineering, traffic, electrical AC / DL, signal, garage, mechanical, TRT, driving card in the railway sector. I would like to bring to their attention that in the past during pandemic the staff in the engineering area were working in groups without social distancing and engaged in hard work without any safety equipment."
he further wrote, "It has come to my attention that in this situation there is currently a serious wave of Coronavirus and open line employees have not yet been provided with the required Coronavirus protection equipment. It is also learned that no projects have been implemented so far, including working in rotational shift basis. More than 700 railway employees died during the last wave. Continuing to ignore safety is a cause for concern. Immediately the Southern Railway Manager should ensure coronavirus safety for their open line staff."
He also said, "Due to the complete lockdown, public transport on the bus was completely stopped and 50% of the staff, including outsiders, had to be employed on a rotational basis. Tasks must be provided by ensuring social distancing and Coronavirus safety equipment, PPE kits. temperature testing should take place. Special leave and rest should be given to those with coronavirus infection.
Due to the lack of public transport facilities including buses, the Workman Special trains have to be operated again in all divisions. Implementation of safety orders on the railways must be ensured at all times. For example, in the Erode diesel shed, it has come to my notice that the order of the Coronavirus prevention measures is not being implemented for the disabled. I therefore kindly request that immediate action be taken to provide safety to the Railway Open Line staff and other railway workers."