Female employees in Railways – Step to redress gender specific issues: Railway Board Order RBE No. 57/2025 dated 24.06.2025

RBE No. 57/2025

भारत सरकार / GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
रेल मंत्रालय / MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(रेलवे बोर्ड / RAILWAY BOARD)

No. E(NG)I-2018/TR/13
(E-File No.3263981)

New Delhi, dated 24.06.2025

The General Manager (P)
All Zonal Railways & PUS

Sub: Female employees in Railways – Step to redress gender specific issues.

Ref: (i) PNM AIRF Item no. 46/2018 and Item no. 27/2025.
(ii) PNM NFIR Item no. 23/2015.

Federations (AIRF and NFIR) vide their Agenda Items under reference have brought to the attention of this office that the requests of female employees for change of categories on account of gender specific hardships, being faced by them at their work places, are not being dealt with due diligence.

The matter has been examined in Board’s office and Railways are directed to ensure work places under their jurisdictions to be gender neutral providing just and humane working conditions for the staff and promptly attend to any issues which might create hardship to а specific gender at their work places.

Accordingly, Zonal Railways/PUs are advised to deal with any such issues on their merits for a suitable intervention to alleviate gender specific distress among employees.

DA: Nil

(Sanjay Kumar)
Dy. Director/Estt.(N)
Railway Board

The post Steps Taken by Indian Railways to Support Women Employees and Resolve Gender Issues appeared first on CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES NEWS.

No. 17-31/2016-GDS
Government of India
Ministry of Communications
Department of Posts
(GDS Section)

Dak Bhavan, Sansad Marg
New Delhi – 110001
Dated: 17 .05.2019

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject :- Maternity Leave for the female Gramin Dak Sevaks (Female GDS) in the Department of Posts.

The undersigned is directed to refer to Department of Posts O.M. of even number dated 27% June 2018 regarding introduction of Maternity Leave for the female Gramin Dak Sevaks (Female GDS) in the Department of Posts.

2. References suggestions have been received seeking clarification about the competent authority for grant of Maternity Leave to Female GDS. In this connection, it is clarified that the Competent Authority for grant of 180 days Maternity Leave to Female GDS BPM/ ABPM; Dak Sevaks will be the concerned Divisional Head.

3. All other terms and conditions of the Department of Posts OM of even number dated 27th June 2018 will remain unchanged.

(S.B. Vyavahare)
Assistant Director General (GDS/PCC)

The post Female GDS Employees – Maternity Leave for the female Gramin Dak Sevaks in the Department of Posts appeared first on CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES NEWS.

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(RAILWAY BOARD)

RBE No.18/2019
No.E(P&A)I-2008/CPC/LE-8

New Delhi dated 05.02.2019

The General Managers/Principal Financial Advisers,
All Indian Railways and Production Units.

Sub: Amendment to the Indian Railway Establishment Code, Volume-I, 1985 Edition (Reprint Edition 2008) Chapter V – Child Care Leave (CCL).

In exercise of the powers conferred by the proviso to Article 309 of the Constitution, the President is pleased to direct that Rule No. 551(E) of the Indian Railway Establishment Code, Volume-I, 1985 Edition (Reprint Edition- 2008) may be amended as in the enclosed Advanced Correction Slip No.136

1. This issues with the concurrence of the Finance Directorate of the Ministry of Railways.
2. Please acknowledge receipt.

DA:- Correction Slip.

(N P Singh)
Joint Director Estt.(P&A),
Railway Board

ADVANCE CORRECTION SLIP TO THE INDIAN RAILWAY ESTABLISHMENT CODE, VOLUME-I, 1985 Edition – (THIRD REPRINT EDITION – 2008)

Advance Correction Slip No.135

The following amendments may be made to Rule No.551 (E) of the Indian Railway Establishment Code, Volume-I,1985 Edition (Reprint Edition – 2008):-

551(E) – Child Care Leave.
(a) In point No.(1) for the words “upto the age of 22 years in case of disabled Children”, the words “an offspring of any age in case of disabled Children” shall be substituted.

(b) In Point No.(5), for the Words “less than 15 days”, the words “ess than 5 days” shall be substituted.

Source: Indian Railways

The post Child Care Leave (CCL) – Amendment to the Indian Railway Establishment Code, Volume-I, 1985 Edition (Reprint Edition 2008) Chapter V – Indian railways appeared first on CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES NEWS.

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
(DEPARTMENT OF PERSONNEL & TRAINING)
LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2592
(TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.01.2018)

TRANSFER AND POSTING OF WOMEN EMPLOYEES

2592. SHRI C.S. PUTTA RAJU:
Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

(a) whether women appointed in Government Service have been deputed in areas far away from their families;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government proposes to formulate rules for appointment and transfer of single women working in the Ministries; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)

(a)&(b): Respective Ministries / Departments have their own guidelines / policy for transfer and posting of their employees depending upon the specific requirements of that Ministry / Department.

(c) & (d): There is no such proposal under consideration for appointment and transfer of single women working in all Ministries.

Source: http://loksabha.nic.in/

The post Transfer & Posting of Women Employees in Central Government Services appeared first on CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES NEWS.

WE WILL MAKE IT HAPPEN

Usha Bonepalli.
Chairperson,
Women’s Committee,
Confederation of Central Government Employees and Workers

Dear comrades,
Hearty wishes to every one of you on International Women’s Day 2018. We celebrate this day in honour of the great struggles that are waged by women, throughout the history of working class. We also mark this occasion to acknowledge and appreciate the wonderful roles that women play in making this world habitable, livable and lovable place of living. We utilize this occasion to reflect on the problems that prevent women from achieving gender parity, oppressions faced by them, and work out measures that lead to progress of women in all spheres of life.

One of the first organized struggles for women in modern times was held at Lowell Cotton Mills in Massachussets in 1834. Women worked for 14 hrs per day in mills in confinement, noise, lint filled air, for 1/3rd wages as compared to men. When these wages were also cut, they organized and went on strike. Women in several other mills joined them and an organised movement started for the first time in history. A second strike followed in 1836. Both the strikes were crushed by management, but that is how pioneering struggles start. Defeat gives spirit for better and more organized action. Women began Labour Reform Associations and started huge petition campaigns and political action, asking the Massachussets state legislature to cap working hours in mills at 10 hours. In 1847, New Hampshire became the 1st state to pass a 10 hour working day. This was the first success for organized working women in any part of the world. This success fuelled organized women movements throughout the world’s working class. Today, we remember that struggle with a sense of pride and honour.

The first National Womens Day was held in NewYork in 1909 to commemorate the 1908 garments workers strike. On 8th March 1908, 15000 women garment workers marched through Union Square to demand economic and political rights. The three month strike against Triangle Shirtwaist and other mills became hugely successful. This success was celebrated throughout Europe and Soviet. Clara Zeitkin, a German socialist proposed designating a day as ‘International Women’s Day’ at International Socialist Congress in Copenhagen in 1910. From 1911, we are observing International Womens Day. From 1975, UNO began celebrating International Womens Day on March 8th.

Comrades, the working conditions and safeguards that are available to women today, are a result of many such glorious struggles across the world. We have an 8 hour working day, equal pay for equal work, at least in the government sector, and statutory framework for women like Maternity Benefit Act 1961, Factories Act 1948, Equal Remuneration Act 1976, Sexual Harrassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act 2013 etc. None of these acts were made by way of compassion, but were a result of prolonged struggle of the working women. The latest Act in 2013 against sexual harassment at workplace was a result of Supreme Court guidelines in the Visakha case. Everyone knows that women are subject to sexual harassment in all spheres of life, but it took till 2013, and only after a long and concerted legal struggle before the Supreme Court, that guidelines were issued and Government found it fit to pass an Act on this issue. We should keep this in mind that nothing could be achieved unless we organize and wage struggles. We should realize that, though the working women’s movement has achieved significant results, there is a lot lot more to be achieved.

Nagaland, which went to polls recently, did not have a single woman MLA in its 54 years of statehood and 12 assembly elections. The situation is not much rosy in other states and even in the Parliament. Women representation in Lok Sabha is barely 11.3 % – 62 women out of 543 MPs. Take any elected body, including the trade unions, the presence of women in leadership positions is barely minimum. There are two reasons, resistance to give opportunities to women as men are entrenched in leadership positions, and lack of enough strength from women to push themselves ahead. Let us address the second issue, which is the only way to repulse the first issue.

Women are bogged down by multiple commitments, they have the inescapable responsibility of household duties. A working woman needs to get up early, cook food, pack lunches for everyone, layout breakfast and clothes for the boys, then commute to work, spend the day in office, and commute back to home, to cook again, help in homework, and then retire to bed, trying to look beautiful. This is the story of every working woman, either in Postal department, or in Dept of Atomic Energy, either as a clerk or in a higher cadre. There is no CL or EL to this duty. Good health or bad health, there is no escape from this routine. Added to this, women face stigma, violence and harassment at workplace, in society, on the streets, during commute, and some times, even at home. Women face deficit in respect in all walks of life. Media and commerce address women as a commodity. They stereotype women, erect standards of medieval morality and even resort to body-shaming. The invisible chains that tie up women are too heavy and too arresting, to unshackle. It’s a herculean task for any woman to unshackle herself, free herself and make her voice count, in public discourse and organized struggles. But we have to realize, and there is no better day that today, that struggle is the only way. It is only because of our organized struggles that we have achieved so far.

One way to derive inspiration and strength to unshackle ourselves is to celebrate the success stories of women, big or small, in all walks of life. Look around for icons and celebrate them. When our daughters submit a project in school and get two stars, lets celebrate that at home, with all the vigour. When Harmanpreet Kaur hits 171 in 115 balls in Cricket World Cup, lets put her posters (over Sachin’s posters) in our rooms and celebrate that with joy. When we come to know that global Chairman/MD/CEOs of General Motors, Pepsico, IBM, Lockheed Martin are all women, lets celebrate that. When we realize that the superstar of male-centric Bollywood during 1980s was not a man but a woman, lets celebrate that. Every woman who achieved something in life, would have achieved against all odds, facing many difficulties. Lets be proud of all of them, lets gain inspiration from them. And lets help our colleagues, our relatives, our neighbours, our fellow women, in whatever they are aspiring to achieve. And stand by her in all her difficulties. Unless a woman supports a woman, no one supports her.

Another way to unshackle ourselves is to resist media stereotypes. Media is obsessed with stereotyping women as loud viragoes. Social media is obsessed with posting comments on women in the form of jokes, which insult and denigrate the attitude of women. And the commercial industry insults women by portraying women as beautiful only if they are slim or if they have certain body statistics. Why is a man’s figure or his tummy not an object of shame but a woman’s figure or tummy is shamed. A woman becomes a mother, has a rebirth herself when she gives birth to children, undergoes many body changes and fights to come back to normal. Whatever shape she eventually has, the society should make her feel proud of it, not ashamed of it. But because of the intense media standards on what is beautiful and what is not, women are psychologically forced to follow some fad diets, starve themselves and spoil their health. Even school going girls are doing dieting. This is a very dangerous trend. Yes, we need to have fitness. We should do exercise or yoga if it fits in our daily routine, or at least some walking, but beauty doesn’t mean looking like a pencil. We need a movement, first in our minds, and then in the society, to stop this trend. Because of our workload at home and at workplace, women need to eat well, be healthy, and feel confident about whatever shape they are in. One report says that 80 % of present day women above 40 are cases for bone related ailments like osteoporosis. So I request all women to take your health seriously, get some sunlight for Vit D, have iron and calcium supplements and above all, eat well. Don’t starve. We are ourselves. We will not allow the media to judge us.

Friends, the sure way to unshackle ourselves is to develop the confidence in our abilities. Seek responsibilities, take active part in leadership positions in your workplace, in administration, and in unions. If you develop the will and confidence, there is nothing that a woman cannot do, as good as, if not better than, her male counterpart. We have an immense task cut out before us. Once women gain employment, they should be endowed with right to equality, right against discrimination in workplace. Women should be assured dignity of labour, equal wages, beneficial facilities and additional safeguards which compensate for their lack of level playing field. These safeguards and benefits should be made statutory, institutionalised, and implemented thoroughly. We should make relentless fight for safegaurds that we are yet to achieve. We should be very vigilant. Because there will always be attempts to mock, sneer, and trample on the safeguards and the genuine benefits that we rightfully deserve.

“Achieving gender equality and empowering women and girls is the unfinished business of our time, and the greatest human rights challenge in our world.” These are the words of our present UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres. In recognition of this ‘unfinished business’ and ‘greatest human rights challenge’, the campaign theme for International Women’s Day for 2018 is selected as ‘Press for Progress’. The campaign requires that the following activities are taken up:

a. Maintain a gender parity mindset (question any lack of womens’ participation, identify alternatives that are more inclusive, nominate women for opportunities, always include and support women, think 50/50 as goal),

b. Challenge stereotypes and bias (question assumptions about women, challenge statements that limit women, always use inclusive language, work to remove barriers to women’s progress, bur from retailers who position women in positive ways),

c. Forge positive visibility of women (identify ways to make women more visible, extend opportunities to women first, assume women want opportunities until declined, select women as spokepersons and leaders, support visible women),

d. Influence others’ beliefs/actions (supportively call-out inappropriate behavior, campaign for equality in meaningful ways, lead by example via inclusive actions, be a role model for equality, actively contribute to change the status quo) and

e. Celebrate women’s achievements (believe achievement comes in many forms, value women’s individual and collective success, ensure credit is given for women’s contributions, celebrate women role models and their journeys, support awards showcasing women’s success).

Lets do that comrades. As Chairperson of the Womens Committee of Confederation of Central Government Employees and Workers, I call upon everyone to join hands and rededicate ourselves to this call – Press for Progress. We will make it happen.

Source: Confederation

The post International Women’s Day – 8th March 2018 : Confederation of Central Government Employees appeared first on CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES NEWS.

There is no such proposal for grant of any menstrual leave or introduction of any legislation in this regard. However, under the centrally sponsored scheme of Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA), activities such as adolescent health awareness programme for girls, provision of separate toilet blocks for girls as part of schools and installation of incinerator machine and sanitary napkin & vending machine for girls at schools and girl’s hostels are undertaken for general hygiene management. National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has developed syllabus on health and physical education for classes I-XII as a follow up of National Curriculum Framework, 2005, which provides adequate space for menstrual hygiene.

Ministry of Health and family Welfare is implementing the scheme for Promotion of Menstrual Hygiene for Adolescent Girls residing primarily in rural areas of the country. Adolescent girls are provided with sanitary napkins at subsidized rates by Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA’s) within the community and through the platform of Government and Government aided school. Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation has also developed National Guidelines on Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) which aims to support all adolescent girls and women.

The above information was given by Union Minister of State for Women and Child Development Dr.Virendra Kumar in a written reply in Lok Sabha on 9.2.2018.

The post Menstruation Benefits to Central Government Women Employees appeared first on CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES NEWS.

In order to ensure the effective implementation of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, the Ministry of Women & Child Development has launched an online complaint management system titled Sexual Harassment electronic-Box (SHe-Box) for registering complaints related to sexual harassment at workplace of all women employees in the country, including government and private employees.

More than 350 complaints relating to inappropriate behaviour have been received in the Ministry which includes complaint received through portal ‘SHe-box‘.

Ministry of Corporate Affairs has been requested for mandatory disclosure of Internal Complaints Committee (ICCs) in the Annual Report of the Companies. Ministry of Corporate Affairs along with the industry bodies, Associated Chambers of Commerce & Industry of India (ASSOCHAM), Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), Confederation of Indian Society, Chamber of Commerce & Industry (CCI), and National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM) have also been requested to ensure effective implementation of the Act amongst their members in private sectors.

This information was given by Minister of State for Women and Child Development, Dr. Virendra Kumar in reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.

The post SHe-Box portal set up for registering complaints of sexual harassment of women employees at workplace, of both Government and Private sector appeared first on CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES NEWS.

Online complaint management system titled “Sexual Harassment electronic-Box (SHe-Box)” – regarding

Subject: Online complaint management system titled “Sexual Harassment electronic-Box (SHe-Box)” – regarding

The undersigned is directed to say that Ministry of Women & Child Development launched an online complaint management system titled Sexual Harassment electronic-Box (SHe-Box) on 24th July, 2017 for registering complaints related to sexual harassment at workplace. The She-Box is; an initiative to provide a platform to the women working or visiting any office of Central Government (Central Ministries, Departments, Public Sector Undertakings, Autonomous Bodies and Institutions etc.) to file complaints related to sexual harassment at workplace under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013.

2. Once a complaint is submitted to SHe-Box, it wiil be directly sent to the Internal Complaint Committee (ICC) of the concerned Ministry / Department/ PSU / Autonomous Body etc. having jurisdiction to inquire into the complaint. The She-Box also provides an opportunity to both the complainant and nodal administrative authority to monitor the progress of inquiry conducted by the ICCs. The SHe-Box portal can be accessed at the link given below:

http://www.shebox.nic.in/

3. Features of the SHe-Box are as under:

(i) SHe-Box is an online Complaint Management System for lodging complaints related to sexual harassment of women at workplace. The steps required for filing of complaint through SHe-Box can be downloaded from the link:

http://www.shebox.nic.in/assets/site/downloads/manual.pdf

(ii) Any woman working or visiting any office of Central Government (Central Ministries, Departments, Public Sector Undertakings, Autonomous Bodies an.d Institutions etc.) can file complaint related to sexual harassment at workplace through this SHe-Box.

(iii) Once a complaint is submitted to the SHe-Box, it will directly send the complaint to the Internal Complaints Committee. (ICC) of the concerned Ministry /Department/PSU / Autonomous Body etc; having jurisdiction to inquire into the complaint. The Internal Complaints Committee will take action as prescribed under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 and update the status of the complaint through ‘Administrator Login‘

(iv) The status of complaint can be viewed at any time by pressing the tab ‘View Status of Your Complaint’ within SHe-Box.

4. The complaint registered in the She-Box contains only a brief description of the incident of sexual harassment at workplace. The Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) is required to initiate inquiry as prescribed under Section 11 of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 read with Department of Personnel & Training’s  O.M. No. 1l013/2/2014-Estt.(A-III) dated 16th July, 2015 by calling upon the complainant to provide detailed complaint along with all the relevant evidences (documentary or otherwise).

5. All the Ministries/Departments are requested to bring the contents of this OM to the notice of all officers and staff working under them. The Ministries/ Departments are also requested to advise the PSEs / Autonomous Bodies under their administrative control to bring the content of SHe-Box to all officers and staff.

6. Hindi version will follow.

To
The Secretaries of All Ministries/Departments
(as per the standard list)

Source: DoPT

The post SHe-Box : Online complaint management system titled Sexual Harassment electronic-Box appeared first on CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES NEWS.

F.No-S-36012/03/2015-SS-I
Government of India
Ministry of Labour & Employment

Sharam Shakti Bhawan, New Delhi
28 August, 2017

To
The Secretary,
Labour Department,
All State Governments/UT Administrators

Subject: The Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act,2017

Sir/Madam,

Kind reference is invited to Ministry of Labour & Employment’s earlier letter number S-36012/03/2015-ss-I dated 12.04.2017 (copy enclosed) highlighting the recent amendments made to Maternity Benefit Act, 1961. The Ministry had also clarified therin certain points of doubts to facilitate smooth implementation of the provisions of the said Act, specially in respect of coverage of contractual workers under the Act. This Ministry in the recent past have been receiving a number of complaints and grievances from working women stating non-implementation of the provisions of the M.B. Act including alleged dismissal of few women by the employers in violation of section 12 of the said Act, non coverage of contractual employees, etc. The honourable National Commission for women has also taken serious view of such denial of rights of working women. This Ministry would, therefore, urge all the State/UT Labour Commissioners (which is the implementing authority under the M.B. Act) to effectively enforce the provisions of M.B. Act, and take strict punitive action against defaulting employers and ensure that the provisions of the statute are implemented in true spirit and letter to protect the rights of working women enshrined in the Act.

Yours faithfully
sd/-
(Manish Kumar Gupta)
Joint Secretary, Govt of India

Source: Confederation

The post Maternity Benefit Amendment Act 2017 appeared first on CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES NEWS.

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO: 672
ANSWERED ON: 06.02.2017

Maternity Leave

SHASHI THAROOR
Will the Minister of

LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT be pleased to state:-

(a)whether the Government proposes to extend the time span of the compulsory paid maternity leave from 12 weeks to 26 weeks in private organizations;
(b)if so, the details thereof;
(c)whether the Government also proposes to amend section 4 of the Maternity Benefits Act, 1961, to ensure that women employed in various public sector undertakings receive the same benefit; and
(d)if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE (IC) FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
(SHRI BANDARU DATTATREYA)

(a) & (b): Yes, Madam. The Government has decided to enhance the paid maternity leave from existing 12 weeks to 26 weeks and an Amendment Bill in this regard was introduced in the Rajya Sabha. The Rajya Sabha has already passed the Bill on 11.08.2016. With regard to women workers covered under Employees’ State Insurance Act, 1948, such enhancement has already been effected by amending the ESI (Central) Rules,1950.

(c) & (d): There is no proposal to amend Section 4 of the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961. The benefits under this Act are already applicable and available to women employed in various public sector undertakings.

Authority: www.Loksabha.nic.in

The post Enhancement of Maternity Leave – Lok Sabha Q&A appeared first on CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES NEWS.