Guwahati, June 23: The All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) has strongly opposed the Railway Board’s recent policy allowing the re-engagement of retired personnel across various grades, calling it a serious blow to unemployed youth across India.
In a press statement issued Monday, Ranjan Chowdhury, Secretary of the AITUC Assam State Committee, criticized the decision as “deeply unfair” and “anti-youth.” He pointed out that the new policy empowers Railway Divisional Managers to rehire retired officers as well as non-gazetted and industrial employees—including those in Group “C” and Group “B” posts (pay level 1 to 9)—on a contract basis.
“In a country where crores of youth are desperately waiting for jobs, it’s unacceptable that the government is recycling retirees instead of filling vacant positions with fresh candidates,” Chowdhury said.
Chowdhury cited data showing over 3 lakh vacancies in Indian Railways alone, including critical posts in operations, running lines, workshops, and production units. He emphasized that safety-related categories, such as loco pilots—who often work 12 to 14 hours a day—are especially affected.
Across the broader Central Government, 15 lakh posts remain unfilled, spanning railways, defence, postal services, and more. In public sector undertakings (PSUs), including banks, another 10 lakh vacancies are yet to be addressed.
“Existing employees are overburdened, leading to stress, depression, and burnout. Instead of easing the load and creating jobs, the government is recycling pensioners,” Chowdhury said.
The AITUC also condemned the move for undermining employment opportunities for trained apprentices in the railways and defence sectors, as well as for bypassing the constitutional provisions of reservation for OBCs, SCs, STs, and persons with disabilities.
Chowdhury urged the Union Government to immediately halt the re-engagement of retired employees and scrap all forms of contractual and fixed-term employment in government departments.
He appealed to trade unions across sectors, especially in the railways, to intensify their agitation and demand a nationwide employment drive to fill all existing vacancies.
