Assam Petroleum Mazdoor Union is now North East Petroleum Mazdoor Union

 STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: With the aim of supporting the workers of the northeastern part of the country in the petroleum sector and protecting them from oppression, the Assam Petroleum Mazdoor Union has been upgraded to the North East Petroleum Mazdoor Union with registration number 2464.

In a statement issued by the organisation, it was mentioned that the workers of Northeast India employed under the Indian Oil Corporation Limited, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited, Bharat Petroleum Limited, Reliance, and Essar in various functions, including petrol pumps, gas plants, gas and oil transportation, and gas agencies, are part of this union. It also mentioned that over 10,000 fuel tankers and 3,000 trucks to carry cylinders are working in the region, along with over 2700 petrol pumps that are now operational, with nearly 1000 more in various stages of being created.

They mentioned that over 2 lakh people are now engaged in various works in relation to the fuel distribution network. But only about 10% of them have access to minimum wages, future savings, medical insurance, bonuses, and gratuities, and over 90% remain neglected. They mentioned that various parties, including companies, contractors, dealers, and distributors, have been depriving them of their basic rights, citing various reasons. Whenever these employees try to protest in demand for their rights, the authorities threaten them under the Essential Services Maintenance Act.

In the statement, they also mentioned that despite working for one of the highest profit-making sectors, these workers are often neglected, both by the employers and the authorities. They added that the North East Petroleum Mazdoor Union will be working towards the safety and security of these workers and will take up protests, including oil and gas supply stops, if their demands are not met. They also announced that they will be organising a Black Day on October 3 and protesting in front of the office of the Governor on November 26–28. They also threatened to undertake a Bharat Bandh programme in December 2023 or January 2024 if their demands were not met.

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