KARACHI: Railways workers union chairman Manzoor Ahmed Razi said on Sunday that despite suspension of train services in the country, work at different sections of the Pakistan Railways had not been stopped, putting lives of workers in danger.

In a statement, Mr Razi said that despite the ban on the train service in the country, railways workshops, washing lines and work on tracks was continuing.

He claimed that the administration had even not provided protective masks and gloves to the staff working there.

He said that dozens of workers were compelled to work at workshops without proper physical distancing while the government was continuously asking the people to observe social distancing to avoid spread of the virus.

He urged the higher authorities not to put life of poor workers in danger and under this prevailing situation, the labourers should be provided with protective equipment.

The union’s general secretary, Rao Naseem, claimed that elderly workers were also being compelled to work as after suspension of train services, the workers had been engaged in other works by the authorities.

Published in Dawn, March 30th, 2020