People, who are planning to go their hometown to celebrate Eid through trains, are likely to face problems as around 50 percent of the porters (Qullies) at Karachi Cantt Station have left jobs, due to unfriendly working environment According to sources, around 600 to 650 loaders, who used to work at a time at Karachi Cantt Station a couple of years ago, have decreased to only 300 people now.
An old porter, Madar Shah, who said to have been working at Cantt Station since 1983, told Business recorder that he was earning more than Rs 300 per day a few years ago. The amount was sufficient to meet the requirement of his home. "Now I can hardly earn the said amount, but due to the inflation I can hardly manage to both end meet," he added.
After the closure of six trans, Taiz Ro Express, Bhabhool Express, Nashter Express, Sir Syed Express, and Faisalabad night Coach the number of passengers have decreased, which is the root cause behind the reduction of number of Quillies at the station, he added. Sources said that one year's contract worth of Rs 6 million between Pakistan Railways and contractor AllahA Ditta for porters has expired.
Another reason behind the decrease of number of Qullies is said to be the fixed amount of 30 percent share, which has to be given to the said contractor by every loader on daily basis, and the 600 monthly charges. The contractor, Allah Ditt,a claimed that he was charging only Rs 30 from every porter not 30 percent of the income and Rs 600 in each month. President Pakistan Railways Mazdoor Union Muqaddar Zaman said that the loaders were exploited by the authorities.
He said the Qullies should be given the right to formed union. He added that according to the International Labour Law, in any organisation where more than 50 people work, have the right of establishing Union, but not being followed in many organisations in Pakistan, which is the violation of the ILO, he added. He urged the authorities to register Quillies in NIRC so that their rights could be protected, ensured, and facilitated.