Central Railway helps staff go off booze

The Central Railways Matunga workshop has found an innovative way of curbing absenteeism due to alcoholism and that is to engage doctors to treat employees who are habitual drinkers. The initiative has been successful in bringing down alcoholism. After noticing the workshop’s success, the Central Railway is thinking of replicating it in other workshops too.

AK Tiwari, chief works manager, Matunga workshop said, “There are nearly 7,000-odd people working in this workshop. There are people who are regular drinkers. It was affecting the productivity as remained absent most of the time. This step was taken for the welfare of the employees.”

The doctors come to the workshop twice a week. “Initially we were wondering how to convince employees to take the medication. We later took the help of the union. We have a yoga session apart from giving them medication. The doctors come in the afternoon.

According to the doctors, the first phase will take three months,” added Tiwari.

Psychiatrists feel this is a very good way to deal with the problem at the workplace. Dr Anjali Chabbria, Mumbai-based psychologist and counsellor, said, “It is a fantastic initiative. These days drinking has become a huge concern in Mumbai and also getting a cultural sanction. There are many socio-occupational issues happening because of this. Families are finding it difficult to cope with. Initiatives like these will help a lot as the person is getting treated with other co-workers and gets encouraged. More workplaces should have such campaigns.”

Agreeing with Dr Chabbria, AK Singh, PRO, Central Railway said, “It is a very good initiative undertaken by the people at Matunga workshop. At very few workplaces, you will find seniors going out of their way to help the people working under them. Seeing the success rate, we plan to replicate this for the other workshops.”