Petrol pump, tank-lorry owners call for work stoppage on May 25

Bangladesh Petrol Pump and Tank Lorry Owners Unity Council have called an eight-hour work stoppage for May 25, with a 10-point charter of demand including a 7 percent commission on fuel sales.

Joint Convener of the council Syed Sazzadul Karim Kabul shared the demands at a press briefing on Sunday.

He said, “As per the notice issued on Sept 26, 2023, a 5 percent commission on depot rates of petrol and octane and 3 percent of diesel have been fixed. As of now, the business was running with a dealership license, explosives license and trade license.”

“Recently, new rules of acquiring environment, fire, factory, BSTI and BRC licenses have been imposed. We have been protesting against these for a long time.”

After announcing the upcoming programme, Kabul said: “We have decided to stop the fuel business. However, as the last effort, and following the unanimous decision taken by the fuel traders and association leaders on May 10, we request the government to fulfil our demands in 12 days by May 24.”

“Otherwise, we have called for a work stoppage at all petrol pumps and tank lorries across the country from 6am to 2pm on May 25 as a symbolic protest.

“Pumping of fuel, transportation and sales and marketing will remain stopped at that time. However, fuel transportation will continue for the smooth operation of Hajj flights and other international flights.”

Their 10-point demand includes-

>>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.