Oil PSU employees go on indefinite strike

Employees of public sector oil companies went on an indefinite strike from today, demanding higher wages and release of ad hoc payment.

New Delhi, Aug 21 : Employees of public sector oil companies went on an indefinite strike from today, demanding higher wages and release of ad hoc payment.

Around 45,000 officers of the 12 state-owned oil firms, under the banner of Oil Sector Officers' Association (OSOA), went on strike after their talks with the Petroleum Ministry failed to come to any conclusion last week.

There are demanding periodicity of salary revision, 50 percent merger of dearness allowance with basic pay as on January 2005, and release of ad hoc payment.

Last year, the association had planed to go on strike in September, but called it off following assurances from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

"These assurances have remained only assurances and practically nothing has been done to eliminate the miseries of officers working in oil PSUs," the OSOA said in a statement.

The association said it was "agitated due to inordinate delay in resolving various pending issues."

Last year, the government assured them of fulfilling their demand for DA merger in line with the Centre's 2004 decision.

Terming the strike as unfortunate, Petroleum Minister Murli Deora said all contingency plans have been set up to maintain services, as it is likely to affect aviation and transport services across the country.

However, Petroleum Secretary M S Srinivasan said the government was ready with contingency plan, including a court order against the strike, to maintain supplies.

Companies like Oil and Natural Gas Corp (ONGC), Indian Oil Corp, Bharat Petroleum Corp and Hindustan Petroleum Corp are among those on strike.

ANI