KATHMANDU, June 17: Dr Chandika Prasad Bhatta, the managing director of Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC), announced that a discussion has been scheduled today at the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Supplies to address the strike launched by the Petroleum Tanker Drivers Association. "We have started discussions with the agitating parties. Some conclusions might be reached by this evening," he stated.
Following the strike called by the Petroleum Tanker Drivers Association over a seven-point demand, long queues of vehicles have been observed at petrol pumps across the Valley. The shortage has been exacerbated since the transportation of petroleum products was halted from Monday.
Agitating petroleum transporters suspend protest, supply of pet...
Despite petroleum products being classified as essential services under the Essential Services Operation Act, 2014, and the Essential Commodities Control (Authorization) Act, 2017 — laws that prohibit shutdowns and strikes in these sectors - the drivers have proceeded with their protest, defying the existing laws.
The Petroleum Tanker Drivers Association claims that tanker drivers have been compelled to work without the necessary service benefits from the NOC for a prolonged period. They argue that their prolonged requests for solutions have been ignored, leaving them with no option but to protest.
Their demands, in accordance with labor laws, include the issuance of appointment letters to all tanker drivers and co-drivers, salary arrangements as per the Government of Nepal's regulations, cancellation of double bank guarantees and annual renewals only applied in self-employment cases, and their inclusion in the Social Security Fund. Additional demands include proper management of 'temperature' regulations, provision of risk allowances for drivers and co-drivers, and arrangement of safety alert training every three months.
The Association had formally communicated these demands to the NOC on June 11. They outlined their protest plan, starting with wearing black armbands on June 14, displaying black flags on their vehicles on June 16, and completely halting work and handing over vehicle keys to tanker owners on June 17 if their demands were not met.
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