Wayman: The unsung heroes behind safe rail tracks
Wayman is lowest rank in railway’s engineering department
Behind the roaring engines of trains lies the untold saga of grit and endurance of the waymen.
Equipped with wrenches, hammers, and crowbars, they tirelessly tighten loose rail joints, clear weeds, level stones, and repair minor track defects.
Despite their crucial role, they hold the lowest rank in the railway's engineering department. Promotions and benefits are scarce, while work hazards are ever-present.
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Previously, the educational requirement for this position was eighth grade, but it has now been raised to SSC. The new recruits have to pass both written and oral exams.
Interestingly, many of the latest recruits hold graduate degrees, often joining the railway due to a lack of alternative job opportunities.
"I was desperate for a job when I joined as a wayman," says Khalil Rahman (not his real name), a wayman in Chandpur. "If I had known the extent of irregularities and exploitation, I wouldn't have joined. I'm already looking for another job and will leave as soon as I find one."
Khalil, a master's graduate in Islamic Studies, earns just over Tk16,000.
According to Bangladesh Railway data, in December 2023, a total of 1,767 candidates were temporarily appointed in wayman positions. Another 405 waymen were appointed after their final selection in March 2024. In total, 2,172 candidates have been permanently appointed to this role.
Duties waymen perform
Waymen are organised into gangs, each consisting of 10-20 members, including a foreman or mate, a keyman, and several waymen. Larger junctions may have up to 20 members, while smaller ones may have just 7-8.
Each gang is responsible for maintaining 6km of railway track, covering 3km on either side.
The distance between two sleepers, known as a gala, is used to measure track sections, with 18 galas making up one rail section. A wayman works on a single rail section daily. Maintaining the entire 6km of track typically takes about four to five months.
During the monsoon, rain washes away the soil, causing the track to sink and necessitating stone packing to level the rails.
In extreme heat, the rails warp and must be straightened using shovels, with areas lacking shade being particularly vulnerable.
Similarly, the rainy season brings an accumulation of grass, weeds, and water that softens the soil and causes the track to sag.
Winter generally sees fewer tasks, although extreme cold can cause the track to contract.
Besides, some individuals deliberately scatter stones around the railway, requiring workers to collect and redistribute them around the sleepers.
The job also comes with numerous risks, such as heat strokes, falls from bridges, and accidents involving trains.
Despite the high-risk nature of their work, waymen receive no hazard pay. In case of accidents or injuries, they must cover the costs themselves.
Besides, due to the near-derelict state of railway hospitals, they receive no special medical benefits.
Long work hours
At times, multiple sections of the track break simultaneously, especially when the rails are old, nearing the end of their lifespan, or due to adverse weather.
In such cases, repairing one section can take 4-5 hours. Workers also often put in extra hours, sometimes working 7 hours beyond their regular shift, but without any additional pay or benefits.
The team assembles at the designated location by 7:30 am daily, with a half-hour lunch break at noon, followed by the shift from 4:30pm to 5pm.
However, the workday is not strictly bound by these hours. Officially, workers are expected to work 9-10 hours, but they frequently respond to emergency calls at any time, day or night, including holidays like Eid. Those living far away are given leave for the holiday.
Khalil, the wayman, shares, "Despite working overtime and during emergencies, there is no extra pay. To discourage leave-taking, we're often assigned difficult tasks that leave us with no choice but to take time off. But if we do, we're fined Tk200 for every day missed. Even the 30 days of annual leave are rarely granted."
For generations, waymen have endured injustice and deprivation, prompting them to take their protests to the streets.
Recently, they submitted a memorandum to the chief adviser, demanding reforms to outdated British-era regulations. Their 12-point agenda includes a revised, equitable pay scale free from discrimination.
