Workers irked over plan to cut subsidy
Railway workers are up in arms over the recent decision to reduce the Treasury subsidy on their season tickets under the recent increase of train fares to meet at least a part of the operating costs.
The All Ceylon Railway Employees’ Union said although they understand the need to cut down on losses urgently the workers shouldn’t be overburdened.
A spokesman for the union yesterday told The Island, they wanted a meeting with Railways General Manager Dr. Lalithasiri Gunaruwan to discuss the issue.
The spokesman told The Island that before the recent increase came into operation, the employees were charged 3 per cent of the amount paid by ordinary commuters. Under the recently implemented fare structure, railway employees would be forced to pay 8 per cent, he said, claiming the increase was totally unreasonable. He called on the top railway management and politicians to make sacrifices on their own.
He said SLCTB employees had received a better deal than them. When it was pointed out that the bus fare structure was higher than theirs, the trade unionist that was immaterial.
A senior railway official said the employees shouldn’t expect to travel almost free of charge. “They obviously want a life time of free travel,” he said. It would be unfare to continue with the existing subsidy, he said. He stressed the urgent need to review all perks, privileges and facilities provided to all public servants irrespective of their position in view of the deteriorating financial situation.
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Source: The Island
Tags: bus fare, ceylon, commuters, fare structure, finances, free travel, life time, public servants, railway employees, railway management, railway official, railway workers, railways, sacrifices, season tickets, spokesman, subsidy, trade unionist, train fares
