The Hindu : National : Oil PSUs: demand conceded

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Wednesday, Aug 22, 2007
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Oil PSUs: demand conceded

Sujay Mehdudia

Government agrees to increase interim relief

NEW DELHI: Officers of the public sector oil companies withdrew their indefinite strike within hours on Tuesday morning after the government agreed to a higher interim relief in lieu of delay in revising wages.

Representatives of the companies unions met Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Murli Deora in the morning after late-night parleys failed to avert a strike. The associations went on an indefinite strike early morning amid fears of shortage of petroleum products and its adverse impact on the supply. After prolonged deliberations with Mr. Deora at his residence, the employees were made to see reason and offered higher interim relief from January 1, 2007. The strike was called off around 10 a.m.

Demands made

About 45,000 officers in Indian Oil, Oil and Natural Gas Corporation, Hindustan Petroleum and Bharat Petroleum, began their indefinite strike at 6 a.m. to press for merger of 50 per cent dearness allowance with basic pay, release of ad-hoc payment and withdrawal of tax on perquisites such as company-provided accommodation.

Mr. Deora is understood to have accepted their demand for interim relief of Rs. 60,000 to Rs.1, 20,000 per employee.

On Monday evening, Mr. Deora had offered Rs.50,000 - Rs.1,00,000 interim payment, which was rejected by the associations.

On its part, the Petroleum Ministry decided to act tough with the striking employees and declared the strike illegal last night as various High Courts restrained the officers from taking such an action.

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