Our Demands & 4 Labour Codes Charter

PRIMARY FOUNDATIONAL DEMAND Industrial Relations Code, 2020

Formalization, Substitute Basis Appointment & Direct Absorption in Indian Railways

The foremost constitutional demand of BRMGSS is the formalization and departmental absorption of all 8.5 Lakh+ railway warehouse (mallgodam) workers on a substitute appointment basis. For decades, these workers have been the unheralded backbone of the nation's freight and supply logistics, loading and unloading millions of tonnes of essential food grains, fertilizers, cement, and coal across 18 railway zones.

Statutory Basis under 4 Labour Codes:

Elimination of intermediary contractor exploitation as guaranteed under the Industrial Relations Code, 2020 and implementation of direct bi-partite service records submitted to the Ministry of Railways and Ministry of Labour & Employment.

📋 Detailed 13-Point Charter of Demands

Each demand formulated from the Ministry of Labour proceedings and analyzed against the 4 National Labour Codes:

DEMAND 01 • SOCIAL SECURITY Code on Social Security (Chapter VII)

1. Financial Assistance in Case of Death and Permanent Disablement

Railway goods shed loading is hazardous physical labour. In the tragic event of fatal yard accidents, wagon crushes, or permanent total/partial disability sustained on duty, BRMGSS demands statutory institutional compensation of ₹10,00,000/-, immediate ex-gratia relief of ₹2,00,000/-, and survivor compassionate pension for the deceased worker's family.

Labour Code Analysis: Fully enforceable under Section 73 & 76 of the Code on Social Security, 2020 (Employee's Compensation), mandating strict employer liability and state welfare fund support.

DEMAND 02 • HEALTHCARE Code on Social Security (Chapter IV)

2. Comprehensive Medical Benefits & ESIC Health Cards

Unrestricted access to cashless medical treatment, diagnostic testing, and hospitalization for godown workers and their dependent family members through ESIC Smart Cards and Railway Divisional Hospitals for occupational respiratory illnesses and musculoskeletal disorders.

Labour Code Analysis: Sections 28–43 of the Code on Social Security, 2020 mandate universal medical benefit coverage for gig, contract, and unorganized cargo handling workers.

DEMAND 03 • RETIREMENT FUND Code on Social Security (Chapter III)

3. Provident Fund (EPFO) & Pension Scheme (EPS)

Mandatory statutory enrollment of all mallgodam handling labourers under the Employees' Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) with equal 12% matching contributions from employers/railway authorities, ensuring accumulated retirement wealth.

Labour Code Analysis: Governed under Chapter III (Sections 14–23) of the Code on Social Security, 2020, guaranteeing universal PF eligibility regardless of contractor wage thresholds.

DEMAND 04 • WORKPLACE PROTECTION OSH Code, 2020 & Social Security

4. Benefits and Paid Leave in Case of Injury During Employment

Full medical leave with 100% wage compensation during recovery periods for any worker injured during wagon loading/unloading operations. Strict prohibition against retrenchment or replacing injured workers during medical rehabilitation.

Labour Code Analysis: Supported under Section 25 of the OSH Code, 2020 and Section 73 of the Social Security Code for paid temporary disablement leave.

DEMAND 05 • HOUSING WELFARE OSH Code, 2020 (Section 24)

5. Facilities for Construction of House & Worker Colonies

Allocation of surplus railway land near freight sidings for developing worker housing complexes, combined with interest-free housing construction grants under central unorganized worker welfare schemes.

Labour Code Analysis: Enshrined under Section 24 of the OSH Code, 2020 for basic worker residential welfare amenities.

DEMAND 06 • EDUCATION Social Security Code (Section 114)

6. Educational Assistance & Scholarships for Workers' Children

Annual institutional scholarships ranging from ₹10,000/- to ₹25,000/- per student for children of railway godown workers pursuing higher secondary, collegiate, engineering, IT, and medical degrees to eradicate generational poverty.

Labour Code Analysis: Supported under Section 114 of the Code on Social Security, 2020 regarding educational assistance for children of unorganized workers.

DEMAND 07 • RESKILLING Industrial Relations Code (Section 83)

7. Training for Skill Development & Modern Logistics Mechanization

Specialized vocational skill training and certification in operating mechanized forklift trucks, automated conveyor belts, and digital RFID inventory scanners as Indian Railways transitions to Gati Shakti cargo yards.

Labour Code Analysis: Governed by Section 83 of the Industrial Relations Code, 2020 mandating a Worker Reskilling Fund for technology adaptation.

DEMAND 08 • DIGNITY IN DEATH Social Security Code (Section 76)

8. Financial Assistance for Funeral Expenses

Immediate, unconditional disbursal of ₹25,000/- to ₹50,000/- for funeral and bereavement expenses within 24 hours of a worker's death directly to the registered next of kin without bureaucratic delays.

Labour Code Analysis: Provided under Section 76 of the Code on Social Security, 2020 for statutory funeral aid.

DEMAND 09 • RETIREMENT DIGNITY Social Security Code (Section 109)

9. Guaranteed Monthly Old Age Pension

A minimum guaranteed monthly pension of ₹3,000/- to ₹5,000/- upon reaching 60 years of age for all veteran railway goods shed workers who have served at railway loading docks for over 10 years.

Labour Code Analysis: Chapter IX, Section 109 of the Code on Social Security, 2020 mandates national old-age protection schemes.

DEMAND 10 • WAGE EQUALITY Code on Wages, 2019 (Section 3)

10. Equal Wage for Equal Work (Non-Discrimination)

Complete elimination of discriminatory wage differentials between direct railway staff and mallgodam handling workers performing equivalent heavy loading/unloading duties. Absolute parity in wage rates for women workers.

Labour Code Analysis: Section 3 of the Code on Wages, 2019 strictly prohibits discrimination in wages for same work or work of similar nature.

DEMAND 11 • WAGES & BONUS Code on Wages, 2019 (Chapters II & IV)

11. Central Minimum Wages, VDA & Statutory Annual Bonus

Direct electronic bank disbursement of central schedule minimum wages with inflation-linked Variable Dearness Allowance (VDA), and mandatory annual statutory festival bonus (8.33% to 20%).

Labour Code Analysis: Enforced under Sections 6–9 (Minimum Wages) and Sections 26–41 (Payment of Bonus) of the Code on Wages, 2019.

DEMAND 12 • TRAVEL WELFARE OSH Code, 2020 (Commute Welfare)

12. Concession & Duty Passes for Short-Distance Train Journeys

Issuance of standardized railway duty passes and 75% subsidized seasonal ticket concessions for daily commuting of mallgodam workers travelling between rural villages and suburban freight terminals.

Labour Code Analysis: Aligned with transport welfare provisions in the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020.

DEMAND 13 • BASIC AMENITIES OSH Code, 2020 (Sections 23 & 24)

13. Canteen Facilities, Clean Drinking Water & Restrooms in All Goods Sheds

Mandatory construction of all-weather sheltered resting rooms, chilled RO drinking water dispensers, clean separate washrooms for male and female workers, first-aid kiosks, and subsidized canteens across all large and small goods godowns.

Labour Code Analysis: Statutorily mandated under Sections 23 & 24 of the OSH Code, 2020 as non-negotiable basic workplace amenities.

4 Labour Codes Framework

BRMGSS is proactively mobilizing 8.5 Lakh+ workers to claim their full statutory rights under India's new labor legislation:

1. Code on Wages, 2019
2. Code on Social Security, 2020
3. OSH & Working Conditions, 2020
4. Industrial Relations Code, 2020

Demands Memorandum

Download the official Tripartite Minutes of Meeting and BRMGSS Demands Charter submitted to the Ministry of Labour & Railway Board.

Download Memorandum (PDF)

Related Portals

Workplace Dispute?

Facing illegal wage cuts, safety negligence or lack of basic amenities at your goods shed? Lodge an official grievance.

Lodge Grievance Online

Our Demands & Labour Rights Charter

Constitutional Rights & 4 Labour Codes Alignment

Code on Wages, 2019

Social Security Code, 2020

OSH & Working Conditions

Industrial Relations Code