Tamil Nadu - Chennai   

Manpower shortage begins to grip fuel outlets

N. Ravi Kumar

Growing aspirations and income-level of families cited as reasons Growing aspirations and income-level of families cited as reasons

CHENNAI: Shortage of manpower, a problem gripping large manufacturing industries, has come to stare low-end work spots such as petrol pumps in the face.

"Getting new people and retaining the existing staff, particularly the youth, is proving to be a big challenge," says Tamil Nadu Petroleum Dealers' Association President M. Kannan.

He attributes this to the growing aspirations and income-level of families in slums and downtown localities, which provided manpower for the automobile fuel retail outlets for decades.

Officials of public sector oil marketing companies say more than quantity, it is an issue of finding quality workforce. "Finding good boys [dispensing staff] is proving to be a problem," says an official.

One reason for this is the companies adopting stringent measures to curb malpractices, on which the dispensing staff thrived, and insisting on better customer service.

Noting that dealers across the State are feeling the pinch, Mr. Kannan says advertisements to fill vacancies in the dispensing bays elicit little response. Such a situation make the dealers offer higher pay packets to freshers, often leading to discontent among existing staff.

Another offshoot is the inability of the dealers, who themselves complain of shrinking margins, to take action against erring staff.

Typically a retail outlet selling 500 kilolitres of fuel a month require around 25 driveway salesmen (DSM). The average salary is between Rs.2,200 and Rs.2,500.

Sources in oil companies say while some dealers offer additional benefits to their employees, some pay them comparatively low salaries.

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