Oil tanker workers end strike

The indefinite strike by oil tanker workers beginning monday has been called off with the transporters agreeing to pay minimum wages.
The strike, under the aegis of Assam Petroleum Mazdoor Union (APMU), was called off last night following talks over the last two days
among representatives of the
APMU, transporters, oil companies and the state Labour Commissioner
at the instance of the Deputy Commisioner of Kamrup Metropolitan.
The strike affected loading and unloading of all forms of fuel from the refineries and depots in Assam.

"We have withdrawn the strike late last night after two days of talks and have resumed work from this morning. We have been promised that by April 10, all our wages as per government notification will be credited to our bank accounts," APMU General Secretary Ramen Das told PTI here.

APMU will review the implementation of the decision to pay minimum wages by the transporters on April 10 and will decide its future course of action accordingly, he added.
"As per our understanding with Kamrup Metropolitan DC, the transporters will have to pay us at the minimum wage rates included in their contract with oil companies.
If they
fail to pay us, then oil companies will deduct it from the bill," Das said.
He said the other demands like provident fund, insurance facilities and registration under ESI scheme have also been accepted in-principle.
When contacted, Indian Oil Corporation Executive Director (IndianOil-AOD) Dipankar Ray said all the parent oil retailers will keep a watch on their respective transporters for passing on the benefits to the workers.

"If there is any violation or non-conformity of the agreement, we will bring such cases to the notice of the DC of Kamrup Metropolitan for taking action against the erring transporters," he added.
As per the government norms, the transporters have to pay a minimum wage of Rs 450.62 per day to a driver and Rs 309 to a helper of each truck.
Around 4,500 tankers for both LPG and petroleum products are registered with IOC in entire North East.
On the other hand, around 320 tankers run for BPCL under contract agreement, while 90 tankers carry products from HPCL.

All the three PSU companies IOC, BPCL and HPCL together control over 97 per cent market share in North East and they keep an average three days of stock at the petrol pumps.
The rest of the market is left to private players like Reliance and Essar.