Privatising coach manufacturing, maintenance in IFC premises not in national interest

Joint statement issued by the platform of central trade unions* demanding withdrawal of the Manufacturing / Maintenance agreement for Vande Bharat Train Sets with Private Company within ICF Perambur Premises:

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The platform of central trade unions take note of the fact that the ICF Joint Action Council has taken up the agitation programmes against the agreement by the Government, totally privatizing the manufacturing and maintenance of Vande Bharat Train sets by allowing the Private sector to use the premises of ICF, one of the most important and strategic Railway Production Units of our Country.

The ICF which was established immediately after Independence of our Country during the year 1955, is the largest Coach Manufacturing Unit in the Indian Railways. The competency, efficiency and the quality of this production unit has been appreciated by one and all in the Government of India. Instead of expanding the ICF due to more work order and recruitment of manpower, thereby providing employment opportunity to the qualified unemployed youth of this country, especially from the socially and economically downtrodden communities like SC, ST & OBC and Ex-Trade Apprentices, it is most unfortunate that the Ministry of Railways have decided to enter into Manufacturing / Maintenance agreement for Vande Bharat Train Sets with Private Company within ICF premises. It is pertinent to mention here that the ICF have already manufactured well designed 40 Vande Bharat Express and are serving the country in different routes of the Indian Railways across the Country successfully.

We are of the firm opinion that Privatization of Coach Manufacturing and Maintenance of the Coaches in the Premises of ICF is not at all in the interest of the Country. The reason being told by the ICF management for such a step from the Railway Ministry is that with the existing manpower, the production targets cannot be met. When there is a deficiency of manpower it is for the Railway Board to give sanction for appointment of young and talented workers in the almost more than 1400 vacancies of different categories existing in ICF, Perambur.

On a perusal of the document / agreement to be signed between the Railway Board and the Private Industry, it is understood that ICF has to provide all the facilities right from production shops to free electricity, compressed air, drinking water, restroom and canteen facilities and besides this the Private Company will have the liberty to use ICF designs and drawings. We fail to understand that why Railway Board should patronize the Private Corporates at the cost of ICF.

It is most unfortunate that the Railway Board / Railway Ministry is taking such arbitrary decisions without any discussions with the Trade Unions. Therefore the Joint Platform of Central Trade Unions and sectoral Federations/Associations urge upon the Railway Ministry and the Railway Board to withdraw the above-mentioned decision which will have far reaching impact on the manufacturing system of ICF and also the quality of the Railway Coaches in which thousands of people are travelling day and night. The Joint Action Council of Trade Unions of ICF have already started various protest programs like Gate Meetings and Demonstrations, etc. If the situation is allowed to continue like this, there will be total dissatisfaction and discontentment amongst the employees which will ultimately hamper the productivity and the Industrial Relations.

In view of the above, we demand for withdrawal of the decision to handover Manufacturing / Maintenance agreement for Vande Bharat Train Sets to Private Company within ICF premises at the cost of the Government owned ICF.

The platform of the central trade unions extends its full support to the joint action committee of ICF for their programme of actions.

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*INTUC, AITUC, HMS, CITU, AIUTUC, TUCC, SEWA, AICCTU, LPF UTUC and Independent Sectoral Federations and Associations

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