India’s state-run oil companies officials call-off strike

Almost 45,000 officials of India’s public sector oil companies on Tuesday called off their agitation after the federal government agreed on a higher interim relief in lieu of delays in revising their wages.

Announcing this to media persons, Oil Sector Officers Association (OSOA) coordinator R P Srivastava, said, “We had talks with the Petroleum Minister Murli Deora this morning and he has agreed on higher interim relief for the period from January 1, 2007, when wage revision was due”.

“We have asked all the 45,000 officers associated to Oil Sectors Officers Association to report back to work,” said Sanjay Goel, president of officers union in Oil and Natural Gas Corp (ONGC).

Petroleum Ministry, he said, had accepted their demand for giving an interim relief of Rs 60,000 ($US$1500) -1,20,000 (US$ 3000) per employee for that period.

Officials from the nine oil sector including Indian Oil, Oil and Natural Gas Corp, Hindustan Petroleum and Bharat Petroleum, began their indefinite strike from 0600 hours on Tuesday seeking release of ad hoc payment and withdrawal of tax on perquisites like company-provided accommodation, besides merger of 50 per cent dearness allowance with basic pay.

However, the strike was called off within four hours. The strike had threatened to cripple aviation refuelling and refinery operations, oil and gas production and auto fuel as well as domestic cooking gas supplies.

On Monday evening, Indian petroleum minister had offered Rs 50,000 (US$1250) -1,00,000 (US$2500) interim payment which was rejected by OSOA.