Petrol pump and tank lorry owners announced a nationwide 8-hour strike for May 25, from 6:00am to 2:00pm, demanding an increase in fuel sales commission to a minimum of 7 per cent along with nine other demands.
Bangladesh Petrol Pump and Tank Lorry Owners Unity Council, a representative body of the owners, called the strike from a press conference at the Dhaka Reporters Unity in the capital on Sunday.
Syed Sazzadul Karim Kabul, joint convener of the council, made the announcement, saying that during the strike, all kinds of fuel extraction from depots, transportation, and sales at filling stations across the country would remain suspended.
Convener of the organisation Mohammad Nazmul Haque, joint conveners Mizanur Rahman Ratan and Zubayer Ahmed Chowdhury, among others, were present.
In a written statement, Kabul said that according to the last government notification on September 26, 2023, dealers received a 5 per cent commission on petrol and octane and 3 per cent on diesel.
鈥楿ntil now, the business was run with dealership, explosives, and trade licenses. Now, obtaining licenses from the environment department, fire service, department of factories and establishments, BSTI, and BERC has been made mandatory. We have been protesting these issues for a long time.鈥�
He further stated that no one seemed interested in resolving the problems faced by petrol pump owners.
He alleged that despite years of appeals and protests to the relevant government authorities regarding the difficulties faced by fuel traders and tank lorry owners, no promise was fulfilled.
鈥業t appears an invisible force is intentionally pushing pump owners toward agitation. In the current situation, it has become impossible for us to continue operating such heavily-invested businesses,鈥� he said.
Announcing the protest, Kabul said that as a last attempt, based on a unanimous decision made at a meeting of traders and association leaders on May 10, they urged the government to meet their demands by May 24.
鈥極therwise, as a symbolic protest, we will observe a nationwide strike on May 25 from 6:00am to 2:00pm. During this time, fuel extraction, transportation, and marketing will be halted. However, to keep Hajj and international flights operational, fuel supply to aircraft will remain uninterrupted,鈥� he added.