Petrol pump, tank lorry owners to halt operation for 8 hours on 25 May
All kinds of fuel supply from depots, transportation, and sales at filling stations across the country will remain suspended during the strike
Bangladesh Petrol Pump and Tank Lorry Owners Unity Council called for an eight-hour work stoppage on 25 May if their nine-point demands including raising oil sale commission to 7% from existing 5% are not met.
Joint convener of the council Syed Sazzadul Karim Kabul made the announcement at a press briefing today (11 May).
Currently, petrol pump and tank lorry owners receive a 5% commission on petrol and octane sales, and 3% on diesel. The council is demanding a uniform 7% commission across all fuel types.
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"We have long been protesting these issues, but they remain unresolved," said Kabul in a written statement.
"We have decided to suspend fuel business activities, but following a unanimous decision by traders and association leaders, we are giving the government 12 days – until 24 May – to meet our demands. If not, all petrol pumps and tank lorries across the country will observe a symbolic work stoppage from 6am to 2pm on 25 May," he added.
However, fuel transportation will continue uninterrupted to support Hajj flights and other international flight operations, according to the Unity Council.
Among the other key demands are the reinstatement of previous land lease fees, the cancellation of fees and registration requirements for underground tank calibration and dip rod testing, and the removal of the obligation to obtain environmental, BRC, factory, and fire licences for setting up petrol pumps.
The council also called for inter-district route permits to be issued for all tank lorries.
Council convener Mohammad Nazmul Haque, joint conveners Mizanur Rahman Ratan, Zubair Ahmed Chowdhury and several other office bearers were also present at the press conference.
