Filling stations threaten strike from February 17

A faction of the country's petrol pump owners yesterday threatened to go on strike from February 17 across the country if the government does not increase their commission.

Leaders of the Bangladesh Petroleum Dealers, Distributors, Agents and Petrol Pump Owners Association placed a six-point demand including a rise in their commission to 7.5 percent from 2.92 percent.

The government increased the commission by only Tk 0.20 per litre while they increased the fuel price at Tk 15 per litre, said Mizanur Rahman Ratan, general secretary of the association's faction.

The ministry of power, energy and mineral resources and the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation decided on their own to reduce their losses but the people who conducted the entire process found nothing.

"All the businessmen in this sector rejected the decision."

He said that they spoke with the higher-ups of the government several times but failed to get a solution.

"We are in the last stage. If the government does not fulfil our demand by February 16, we will stop taking fuel from the depots from the next day," Ratan added.

Sajjadul Karim Kabul, president of the association, was also present at the press conference held at the Dhaka Reporters Unity.

The petrol pumps sell 2,000 litres of diesel on an average a day, according to the association. If the Tk 0.20 commission is implemented, they will earn Tk 12,000 extra in a month, which is too little for them to survive.

However, Mohammad Nazmul Haque, president of another faction of the association, Kabul and Ratan had been suspended for various reasons including stealing fuel.

"We have the same demands -- we also want a 7.5 percent commission. But we are talking with the government," he told The Daily Star.

He, however, said a strike is not on the cards.

"It's the irrigation season and we can't take such a headlong decision. Such kind of threats by the suspended persons will not be accepted."