Bangladesh Petroleum Dealers, Distributors Agents and Petrol Pump Owners Association may go on strike from February 17 if their six-point demand, including a hike in commission on sales of fuel, are not met.
The Association made the announcement during a press conference held at the Dhaka Reporters' Unity (DRU) in the capital on Wednesday.
On the other hand the other part of the Association said in a separate press release in the afternoon that those who arranged the press conference were illegal. They have been expelled from the Association on various charges. The Association has nothing to do with the demand, they added.
Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources and Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) recently increased the fuel sales commission for pump owners by Tk0.2 per litre, against the demand of Tk1.60 per litre.
Earlier in 2019, Petrol Pump and Tank Lorry Owners-Workers Unity Council went on an indefinite strike in three divisions Khulna, Rajshahi and Rangpur to press home their 15-point demand including an increase of commission on oil sale.
The strike was later called off following assurance from the State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid.
Secretary General of the Association Mizanur Rahman Ratan read out a written statement at the press conference.
The Association demanded the commission on fuel oil sales will be fixed 7.5 percent from the existing 2.92 percent by 16 February. Fuel traders have to be considered commission agents and a gazette has to be issued in this regard.
Other demands are abolition of lease of land for petrol pump entrance by Roads and Highways Department, revoking the decision to obtain a license from a department or organisation other than a trade license and explosives license.
They also urged the authorities concerned to ensure insurance for lorry drivers, along with an adequate number of restrooms and toilets for workers across the country.
Mizanur Rahman Ratan said, “We never wanted to go on strike and implement demands. We wanted to solve the problems through discussion. However, over the last three years, we have sent many letters and discussed about the demands and held meetings. But the demand has not been met. The government has set fuel sales commission at taka 0.20 ignoring the opinion of the association, which has disappointed fuel oil traders.”
“We are also facing a lot of business losses due to the advent of the current Covid-19. Besides, the effect of Covid-19 is increasing day by day and we think this problem will remain for a long time. In such a situation there is no way but to increase the commission of fuel oil,” he added.
However, according to Bangladesh Petroleum Dealers, Distributors Agents and Petrol Pump Owners Association, their demands are yet to be met and they threatened tougher movement this time if the authorities concerned fail to comply.
