Petrol pumps shut amid half-day strike over 10 demands

The extraction, transportation, and distribution of fuel from depots is halted

Most petrol pumps in Dhaka and across the country have remained closed due to a work stoppage to push for a series of demands, including higher sales commission on fuel.

The strike began at 6:00am on Sunday in line with an announcement by the Bangladesh Petrol Pump and Tank Lorry Owners’ Unity Council. It is expected to continue until 2:00pm, according to the council’s Joint Convenor Md Mizanur Rahman.

The decision to observe the strike was announced earlier at a press conference held by the council on May 11.

As part of the protest, the extraction, transportation, and distribution of fuel from depots have been suspended. However, fuel supply for aircraft remains unaffected to ensure smooth operation of Hajj and international flights.

During the strike, petrol pumps will only provide fuel to ambulances, Fire Service vehicles, and police transport.

The unity council has placed the following 10 demands:

• Fuel sales commission should be raised to a minimum of 7 percent.
• Leasing fee of lands owned by the Roads and Highways Department should be taken back to the previous amount.
• The BSTI should run only the dispensing unit stumping and measurement scrutiny programme like before.
• Underground tank calibration, deep rod test fee and registration system should be revoked.
• Petrol pump business is not an industry but a commission and agent-based business. Therefore, rules to get the environment, BRC, factory and Fire Service Department should be annulled.
• Direct sale of fuel without the dealership of a marketing company must be stopped.
• Renewal and issuance of driving licenses should be made easier to address the issue of the tank lorry driver crisis.
• Tank lorries should not be stopped randomly in the name of checking their documents. The government's decision to check the documents at oil depot gates should be implemented. The authorities must issue an inter-district route permit for all tank lorries.

The unity council is a joint platform formed by the Bangladesh Petrol Pump Owners’ Association and the Bangladesh Tank-Lorry Owners’ Association.

The Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation has called a meeting on Sunday morning. According to unity council leaders, future actions will depend on the outcome of that meeting.