Paradip, July 4: Vehicular traffic remained paralysed around the Indian Oil Corporation Limited complex and adjoining villages as the project labourers refused to withdraw road blockade following the clash between the workers and the CISF personnel.
The administration’s efforts to strike a compromise between the workers and the Indian Oil management have not yielded the desired results.
Consequently, construction at the Rs 29,900-crore oil refinery project has remained stalled since the violence between the CISF personnel and the labourers, in which 10 persons were injured on July 2.
Uneasy calm prevailed in and around the project site with over 1000 labourers squatting on the road at various entry points to the project. The workers’ unions remained adamant and refused to withdraw the strike.
Though the company had invited various trade unions for negotiation, but it was turned down, said a company official.
On July 2, the workers and the CISF personnel, who guard the complex, clashed after the securitymen had prevented people from entering the complex without valid papers. Police had to open fire and 10 persons, including two CISF personnel, were injured.
“The company wants to resolve all the issues. It has promised to safeguard the workers’ larger interest. But, they did not turn up for discussion despite our persistent request,” said Prasant Rout, deputy general manager of the company.
The demands would be considered only when the unions came to the negotiation table, Rout said.
The workers have eight demands, including free treatment for the injured labourers, disciplinary action against the errant CISF personnel, providing permanent employment to each of injured, issuance of permanent gate pass to labourers and their representatives and an administrative inquiry into Monday’s firing.
The company authorities have reportedly submitted its report to the state government, highlighting the use of hired goons and criminals to disrupt the project construction. There are 35,000 contract workers.
Sources said there were various groups that were extorting protection money from the labourers. Most of them are operating through unions. Although the administration was aware of the problems, it had refused to take the corrective measures.
“Construction has stopped because of the road blockade. The oil refinery employees and officials failed to make their way into the project site. The agitation of this nature does not augur well for the project, which is scheduled for completion by mid-2013. Such agitations would only further delay the project. The company is incurring a loss of Rs 2 crore everyday for such agitations,” said Rout.