Northern Railway's women workers demand apron over uniform
What's the story
Women workers of Northern Railway have written to the Railway Board saying that given the lack of changing room for them at most stations, their uniform should be restricted to an apron which can be worn over their regular clothes. Sunita Dhiman, General Secretary of the women's wing of Uttariya Railway Mazdoor Union (URMU), wrote to Railway Board Chairman Ashwani Lohani regarding their demand.
Details
No changing rooms for women staff at stations: Workers
In the letter, the workers have requested changing their uniform, which is currently either a salwar kameez or shirt and pant depending on the category of work. "There are no changing rooms for women staff at stations. We are just requesting to provide aprons to us which we can wear over our regular clothes. It will save us time as well," Dhiman said.
Uniform
Poor quality cloth, transparent uniforms: Workers
Dhiman said that the cloth supplied to the women workers for their uniforms is of very poor quality, adding it is also transparent. "We can't even wear them for long," Dhiman said. In her letter, Dhiman has said 93 women work at Delhi Railway Station, New Delhi Railway station, and Anand Vihar Terminal, and they have all written letters in support of the apron.
Quote
The workers have also attached a sample photo of apron
"We have attached a sample photo of the white apron with name and batch along with the letter so that they can get an idea about what kind of uniform we are comfortable in," Dhiman said.