Railways to terminate services of 13,000 'absentee' employees

Indian Railways has identified more than 13,000 employees, about 10 per cent of its workforce, who are on ''unauthorised'' leave for long periods, as the state-run transporter tries to improve performance.

Railways propose to initiate disciplinary action against these employees, including termination of services, as part of a drive to improve performance of the organisation and boost the morale of sincere and diligent employees.

Indian Railways also launched 'Voluntary Safety Reporting' website for its 13 lakh employees, and also launch a whistleblower staff website with an eye on safety.

It also plans to create database of contract workers and give them benefits comparable to the organised sector.

''A massive drive to identify long-term absentees in various establishments of Railways has been initiated. As a result of the drive, more than 13,000 employees out of about 13 lakh employees were found to be on unauthorised absence for a long time,'' the railways said in a statement.

The establishment has initiated disciplinary action under the rules to terminate the service of such absentees. ''Railways have instructed all officers and supervisors to weed out these employees from the employees' rolls after following due process,'' the statement added.