Govt's tough action and threats to arrest striking officers finally broke the oil officers' strike
Business Standard / New Delhi Jan 13, 2009, 00:30 IST
Given how the brief strike by state-owned oil sector officers raised the spectre of a fuel drought across the country, the government deserves to be congratulated for deciding to take tough action and threaten to arrest striking officers, since this is what finally broke the strike. The fact that the emoluments of some of the striking workers were made public didn’t help their case either, since these showed the managers to be amongst the better-paid in the public sector. But while the government did the right thing in finally acting tough, it mishandled things in the run-up to the strike. For one, whenever there has been a call for a strike, and it is made weeks in advance (trade unions and officer associations need time to mobilise), petroleum dealers stock up on supplies. They did not do so this time because Petroleum Minister Murli Deora had held out the prospect of a price cut for petroleum prices. No petrol and diesel retailer in his right mind would stock up when prices are set to fall. So, if Mr Deora felt politically compelled to make his announcements, surely someone needed to tell the dealers that they would be compensated for their losses in case they bought additional stocks, or that there would be no price cuts during the strike and its immediate aftermath.
While the immediate cause of the strike was that the salaries and wages notified for the oil sector were lower than those recommended by the Justice MJ Rao committee, the basic demand that wages be revised every five years instead of the current 10 years has been a very old one. A pay revision every five years is not an unreasonable demand to make, especially when private sector salaries rise almost every year, and the argument that government salaries are revised once every decade is no argument. The oil industry’s dynamics are quite different from those of the government. In any case, Ram Naik as petroleum minister in the NDA government, had conceded this demand. So while it is true that the oilmen didn’t wait for the one month that the government asked for while a group of ministers tried to find a solution, they were probably at the end of their tether since years have passed since the ministerial promise.
The nation would not have been held to ransom by the strikers if there were significant private sector competitors who could ramp up supplies, or at least keep some minimum supply moving. The private sector players which exist have preferred to supply exclusively to the export market, or go through the state-owned retailers, because of the distortions in the domestic price and subsidy operation, which put private refiners at a disadvantage. If the government is keen to bring in more competition, as it should be, it must create a level playing field for private and state-owned players. This does not mean largesse for the private firms; all it means is that everyone gets the same treatment. And since it also helps build diversity of suppliers, it makes the system as a whole more secure from supply disruptions—especially since another strike cannot be ruled out, as the strikers’ grievances have not been addressed.
Nice to have brought out the problem. However if government is to be congratulated for breaking the strike then they also deserve to be critised for sleeping over the problem despite the expressed concern by the officers association.
The government needs to act fast to not to demoralize the employees so that the situation is not detoriate further. The major part of the employees are professionals and they need to be handled with care and concern.
Where in India have you ever heard an entry level officer getting 1 lakhs salary?The govt was very well informed about the strikes in advance, the strike was postponed several times including the bombay terrorist attack days for the sake of the nation. The entire media were short sighted while covering this strike!! More over branding them as \"deshdrohi\" have bring down the morale of these employees who have worked day in and day out for the nation with out creating much of havoc ever.
The tussle between the bureaocrats(MOPNG) and technocrats (ONGC/IOC)has crippled the whole country.Has any time the bearocrats(baboos)visited remote places of Assam & offshore places,etc. ? Are they concerned about the real working condition? IAS lobby should be compelled to understand the real grave situation of striking officers.Can it be denied pay revision after 11 long years when the strike was legal and when it was withdrawn after 3 times.Is ONGC/IOC/HPCL/BPCL is the training ground ?
It is time that the govt gets proactive and acts fast. This is not the question of grievance in a particular sector. Several associations belonging to different PSUs have lent their support to the strike called by the officers of OIL PSUs. If the issue is not resolved fast , then the day is not far when the govt will be caught napping and believe me in the next strike (which cannot be ruled out) there will be no petrol, no electricity , no communication . India will come to a standstill.
LEGAL STRIKE BY OIL SECTOR OFFICERS COMMUNITY WAS TOTALLY HIJACKED BY THE MEDIA AS THEY HAVE NEITHER UNDERSTOOD THEIR GENUINE DEMANDS NOR TELECASTED ANY OF THE INTERVIEWS. Naturally the public at large suffered a lot but who was responsible for that? Beuracrats may not allow the technocrats to grow in the public sector. Are all striking officers traitors and terrorists ? Then why Mr. Raju , CEO of Satyam was not declared a traitor and terrorist who has defrauded to all concerned openly ?
Itis highly regretful that you are not printing the Salary slip or form 16 in your support/Govt claim. As per the article the Five year peridicity was made by Ramnaik but can you state /claim that this periodicity was followed. No & another pay revision committee was made up after10 year( 1997 to 2007).
You are congratulating the Govt. also as they hadnot impose the ESMA,NSA againt the Reliance & other pvt. parties when the Crude price was 147$/ barrel& they are out of retail service.
Despite shabby treatmnt meted out to officers of oil sector quastion remains unanswerd what promted officers to take such action,which need to be investigatd and should be brought to the notice of public.However there is no ray of hope.Govt virtually run by babus will not allow PSU officers draw more salary than them.Moreover oil officers r too little to play any role to vote bank of political parties or TRP rating of channels unlike central govt employees which got more than expected hike.
Over the past 10 years private sec salaries boomed , while we have been handed our a yearly incremnt of a princely 4%.Had we recieved 1 lakh at the entry level as portrayed in the media,there would have been no strike. After 6 years service,I dont take home half of what the Petroleum Sec said an entry level employee gets.
I have worked in Assam for the last 3 years, how many private sector employees are willing to relocate to assam, even if they are given a 25% hike over their existing salary.
Despite shabby treatment meted out to officers of oil sector quastion remains unanswered what promted officers totake such action,which need to be investigated and should be brought to the notice of public.However there is no ray of hope.Govt virtually run by babus will not allow PSU officers draw more salary than them.Moreover oil officers are too little to play any role to vote bank of political parties or TRP rating of channels unlike central govt employees which got more than expected hike.
Its fine the strike took country to a ransom, but can any author writing this type of article tell
1. Why this situation when govt was given enough time?
2. Why the govt now asking for 1 month time?
3. Why they have not settled the issue in time?
4. This was the 4th call for strike in last 3 months?
It is easy to write, but just think why this intellectual group had to go on strike.
by giving false information onmedia to nation gov won the battle,in govmnt`s mind.but it is not true.
after giving 2 and half years they are saying no time given by oil industry.
meadia should represents balance view and act like watchdog on any matter,not like agents............
Govt deserve the congrates for being so rude with their employeeswho are giving highst % of GDP, and being sympathetic with all those terrorist who just want to destroy our nation.our PM sir didnt have time to sapre just for listening what actually PSUs employess were demanding.even petrolium minister sir failed to explain the same when asked in the parliament.so they themselvs doesnt know what was the damand!!!!just being Genaral dier is a no solution
Govt would have deserved the congrats if it has solved the problem before the crisis or was able to sort out the matters by discussion to the satisfaction of all concerned. the MOPNG has given an ad that gross pay after pay revision would be 100k to 300k p.m for officers ,can u ask them to give the detailed breakup of that like how much basic, DA, allownaces wil be payable to officers? ..at present its around 35000 p.m. of gross pay (basic 12000) is given to an CA/MBA/Engineer at the entry level
Tough stand by the Govt-So this is the democracy in which powerful institution like govt threatens the weaker officer group,play divide and rule to break the strike and give distorted facts like high level of pay ,perks ,hiding the efforts taken by them prior to go to strike ,to put blame on them and media toeing their line blindly and calling them deshdrohi without giving them any oppurtunity to be heard. and you are congratulating the Govt for their stand and repressing the officer community?
on one hand govt employs hav been given heftyhike abov recommend of 6th CPC on other PSU hav denied even the recommend of Rao Commety that too by further diluatng.genuine demnds of PSU officrs fell in deaf ear of govt.bureaucrat not allowed their voice herdby cabinet mnistrs Hindi elect media playd key role in projctng oficrs as deshdrohi by wrongly showng salaries.propagnda tactics of govt along with sponcerd media remind us british raj & how they cud manag to rule india for more than 300 yrs.
Why did the strike happen at the 1st place? Did the Oil officers suddenly sprang a surprise on the oblivious, innocent Ministry? 3 strike notices were servd in the last 3-4 months, which were cancelled in consideration of the public. This strike was the last resort nobody wanted to take, but was FORCED upon by the govt. And what were the demands? It wasnt increase of approved payscales. Majorly it was protection of existing facilities. Oilmen contribute the highest revenues, stil are deshdrohis.
The process in which strike has been broken has not impacted badly the moral of oil psus employees but all the psus as most of the demands pertain to them also.I request media to rise now and bring the facts which were distorted by the media. These oil sectors employees do not get what were brought in the media and their counterparts in the pvt sector get 4-5 times. Now these employees have started to get call from the pvt sector and god save these psus when all the brillint people leave.
By breaking the strike with tough hand , govt may have solved one problem but has created no.s of problem which may affect the nation and these oil psus in the long run. Employees moral are all time low and u cant expect these employees to deliver its best to the companies. Naturally companies would be affected in particular and nation in general. U cant expect these employees to think about the energy security of india and in process nation dependent on outside oil will increase.
I must congratulate you to bring out problem which gave rise to this strike. while on the one hand You have been candid to admit the problems/assurances of/to these oil men, on the other hand conspicuous omittion of role played by media.Press the fourth piller of democracy but now--! I am angushed the way oil men projected as if the entire oil is produced in AC room. We oil man work in extreme conditions beit desert of Jeselmare,floating plateform in high seas or volatile regions Assam/Tripura.
I must congratulate you to bring out problem which gave rise to this strike. while on the one hand You have been candid to admit the problems/assurances of/to these oil men, on the other hand conspicuous omittion of role played by media.Press the fourth piller of democracy but now--! I am angushed the way oil men projected as if the entire oil is produced in AC room. We oil man work in extreme conditions beit desert of Jeselmare,floating plateform in high seas or volatile regions Assam/Tripura.
As per law of land, everybody has right to protest against exploitation. Strike is a way to show your dis-staisfaction. Why did ministry let it happen. The entire media was hizacked who didnt show the other side views. Its a shame on the entire media. Nobody pointed out the exact demands of officers. Can they actually comensate for damage caused by them? Then now when the officers have called off the strike and resume work in the national interest, at least support them in reinstatement.
i would like to express my immense gratitute for this article, but still some facts have been concealed which are very improtent. the salary as petroleum secertary told is 1 lakh to 3 lakh per month of jr. level officer but it is actully apprx. 20000 after paying tax of 6000 every month.
the problem could have been addressed within 2 hours had govt wanted but they created this situation to partrayed them as hero and we as deshdrohi inspite of
our genuine demands. govt. held nation on ransom.
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