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In a major relief for laborers, Pakistan Railways has officially ended the 25-year-old contractor system for porters at Lahore Railway Station, allowing them to work directly under the station manager’s supervision. The move aims to eliminate exploitation and ensure fair earnings for the porters.
For decades, porters commonly known as coolies had to pay a significant portion of their daily income as commissions to private contractors. This long-standing practice often left them struggling to earn a fair wage despite long working hours.
Under the new arrangement, porters will now be direct employees of the station administration, not private contractors. Each porter is permitted to charge passengers Rs. 70 per trip, carrying a maximum of 40 kilograms of luggage.
A Pakistan Railways spokesperson said the decision was part of the ministry’s ongoing reforms to promote transparency and uplift the livelihoods of low-income workers.
“This change will ensure that porters receive their full earnings without deductions and that the system is run with accountability,” the official stated.
The reform is expected to improve living standards for hundreds of porters at Lahore Station, ensuring consistent wages and better working conditions. Officials believe this model could soon be expanded to other major railway stations across Pakistan.
