Non-stop strike at petrol pumps from May 22

Petrol pump owners and tank-lorry workers called non-stop strike from May 22 to press for raising commission on the sales of fuel and implementation of other decisions earlier taken by the government, reports UNB. Bangladesh Petrol Pump Owners and Tank-Lorry Owners-Workers Unity Council announced the strike programme at a press conference Tuesday. "We urge the government to raise our commission on the sales of petroleum fuel and also meet other demands before May 22 as per commitments made earlier. Otherwise, our strike will begin for an indefinite period from May 22," said Namul Haque, convener of the Unity Council. Other leaders of the Unity Council including Aktar Hossain, Mizanur Rahman Ratan, Momin Dulal, Hazi Shahjahan and Shahjahan Siraj were present at the press conference. Nazmul alleged that they had called off a similar strike on February 9 this year following the government's decision to raise their commission and fulfill other commitments on different issues. In consultation with the Unity Council, the government assured them to raise commission on fuel sales from existing 2 per cent to 3.4 per cent for diesel and 4 per cent for octane and petrol. "However, in more than three months, the government did not raise our commission and most of other decisions and commitments remained unimplemented," Nazmul added. He said the petrol pump owners and tank-lorry owners and workers have become frustrated due to the government negligence in implementing its decisions and commitments. The Unity Council's other demands include formulation of a policy-guideline in approving petrol pump business, establishing tank-lorry terminal at the fuel depots and renovation of existing ones.