Truck owners, workers start indefinite stir

KOCHI: A fuel crisis is brewing in the state as truck owners and workers at Irumpanam Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) plant started an indefinite strike on Wednesday midnight. Owing to this, movement of over 600 tankers from the plant was completely disrupted on Thursday. The situation could potentially turn grave as fuel is distributed across Kerala, except Kasaragod and Kannur, from this IOC plant. Though truck owners and workers called for a strike during Onam season it was put off following talks with District Collector and dealers.
Their demand was to amend the new tender formalities with more favourable conditions. According to truck owners, the new clause -which allows contractors to quote up to 10 per cent of the value- would help only large contractors.
“It will eventually wipe out small contractors and would adversely affect the workers. We have raised objection against this. Though it was agreed upon earlier to remove this clause. But in the new tender also it has been included. As part of safety measures, we are instructed to attach sensors on trucks. Each will cost around Rs 3.5 lakh. We can’t bear the cost alone,” they said.
The Irumpanam IOC plant has been plagued by strikes and go slow protests. The recent one in August this year lasted almost a week.

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The New Indian Express
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