RAILWAYS, 
151 
classes of railway workmen, e 9, those engaged in maintenance of per- 
manent way and works and in certain departments of workshops. In 
other branches of the service there may be difficulties in effecting changes 
in established custom, and we agree there is much to be said for a system 
which, by the grant of increments for approved service, encourages the 
able and willing worker to attain higher standards of skill and efficiency, 
with increasing rates of pay. Under either system the worker must 
be satisfied he is getting a fair deal. The same may be said of the 
different systems of piece-work and payment by results that have been 
introduced in several railway workshops. They provide additional 
incentives to the industrious and capable workman to improve his 
output and increase his earnings. So long as it is understood that 
changes in method provide the only justification for alterations jn bases 
of calculation (except in the event of mistakes clearly apparent to both 
employer and employee), we consider there is room for extension of 
bonus and similar systems in railway workshops generally. 
Standardisation of Wages. 
We have been informed that more than one administration has 
already standardised wages, as far as possible, for all grades of employees 
in each area, with minimum and maximum rates of pay for each class of 
each branch of the service. But, owing to the different conditions exist- 
ing in various parts of the country, standard rates of pay have not been 
fixed for the railways as a whole. Here, as elsewhere in the evidence 
we find indications that replies to our enquiries have been made on the 
assumption that the practical difficulties in the way of standardisation 
on a national basis rule out the possibility of larger measures of standard- 
isation than have been attempted hitherto in this country, The Railway 
Board shows a better appreciation of the position. In referring to the 
benefits derived from organisation on a divisional basis, they state that 
standardisation of wages on such railways is aimed at, due regard being 
paid to local conditions and that it is probable the tendency towards 
standardisation will become more marked as time goes on. We believe 
it is possible to extend this further and recommend that additional steps 
be taken to fix standard rates for similar classes and grades of labour, 
subject only to variation in districts Where there are material differences 
in economic conditions. Existing disparities in wages and service con- 
ditions, for instance, at centres which are the termini of more than one 
railway and in workshops not far from each other should be examin - 
ed, and, wherever Possible, action should be taken to remove discontent 
caused by the present Inequalities. 
Provident Funds. 
Complaints have been made of the working of Provident Fund 
Rules, in particular that all employees are not eligible for membership, 
Provident, Funds have Leen established on every railway in India, except 
one employing only 2,278 workers, Exclusive of staff employed on 
construction, there were 819.000 railway employees in India on 31st