Pakistan railway employees plan a wheel-jam strike from 2nd November due to non-payment of salaries

Islamabad (Pakistan) – Railway employees of Pakistan, on the verge of bankruptcy, are planning to go on strike from the 2nd of November 2023. They have not been paid a salary since September. The railway officers have promised to pay salary on the 2nd of November; therefore, the employees have declared to go on strike from that day in case their salary is not paid.  Railway is the second highest-staffed department in Pakistan.

The railway employees had staged demonstrations a few days back, resulting in total disruption of railway service in Pakistan. An office bearer of the Pakistan Railway Train Drivers’ Association informed that a senior officer of the Railway had promised the release of September salary on 2nd November; therefore, the employees would wait till 2nd November and go on strike if they don’t get their salary.

The railway needs Rs 3,500 crore 

Shahid Aziz, the Chief Executive Officer of Pakistan Railway said that the department was going through a financial crunch, and it needed Rs 3,500 crore to get over the crisis. Out of this amount, Rs 500 crore are required only for payment of salary to the employees. Rs 800–900 crore are required for repairs of tracks and other work, besides funds required for repayment of loans.

Pakistan’s air transport on the verge of insolvency too

Even before Pakistan’s Railway service faced a financial crisis, its air transport service was on its last legs. There is a 70% reduction in the revenue earned by Pakistan International Airlines. Its 600 flights have been cancelled. The company has no money even for fuel.