Train Musings - A Government Job

A government laborer’s perspective

I met this interesting old man (Mr. Ashok Kumar), one of the un-reserved passenger, not carrying a ticket for himself or family, flashing his Railway Labor card going till Khertal (2 Hrs from Jaipur) along with a pregnant lady after attending a wedding at Jaipur.

Ashok is a railway employee (labor) in the Rail-line laying section. His job is to bring Rodi (small stone gravel) to the new track, while other senior members lay the tracks. He joined Railways at a salary of Rs. 1000/- and is now earning a handsome Rs. 12,800/- (after all deductions). Interestingly, he is very clear that after his retirement, he will not get a job even for 1500/- at any shop, as he really does not know anything except to lift weight. He showed me his balding head, stating that he will not be able to do much lifting on the head after retirement anyway.

Ashok is an example of the fact that Indian Railways, is the worlds biggest employer and judging by Mr. Ashok’s salary, pays very handsomely as well. It showcases the apathy of labor class in private sector and why every villager’s dream job is to take up a government job.

I don’t know if paying Rs. 12,800/- (after deductions) for labor work and Rs. 12 million to a manager, are sustainable salary levels. However, we are still a country with 30% population below poverty line, and a large number of Rural youth un-employed by their own choice to take up a government job (at low salary) or a un-realistically high salary (if in private sector). I leave these few questions un-answered:

• Does a once hired-never fired and raise by the virtue of age policy connote correct sentiment for Indian workforce (already showing a lack of commitment and dedication to job)?

• Does the ultra-fat salary package of private company’s management, and a fear of getting fired, reflect appropriate measure of the merit of education and work commitment for the Indian youth?

• Can the concept of stability of job / income (so valued in government jobs) be addressed better to make Indian employee class become equally keen for government and private jobs?