Fuel oil traders threaten strike for 7.5% commission on sales

Petroleum dealers and filling station owners have threatened to go on strike if their demand for a 7.5% commission on fuel oil sales is not met by 16 February.

Petroleum dealers will stop purchasing and distributing fuel oil from depots across the country if their demands are not met, said leaders of the Bangladesh Petroleum Dealers, Distributors, Agents and Petrol Pump Owners' Association in a press conference at Dhaka Reporters Unity on Wednesday.

Mizanur Rahman Ratan, general secretary of the organisation, said the government increased the price of diesel by Tk15 per litre on 4 November last year, but the commission on fuel sales was raised only Tk0.2 per litre. Even at the existing commission rate of 2.92%, it should have been increased by Tk0.5.

The energy ministry and Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) took this decision unilaterally.

"For the last few years, we have been demanding an increase of Tk1.6 per litre on fuel oil sales commissions, amounting to a 7.5% commission, as electricity prices, licence fees, and employee salaries have been rising," he said.

At a press conference, the organisation's President Syed Sajjadul Karim Kabul said it was unfortunate that the BPC and the energy ministry had shown extreme indifference towards fuel traders.

"The government has increased the price of diesel by Tk15 per litre to curb losses on fuel sales. However, no justice has been done to the businesses of those through whom this whole oil sales operation is being conducted," he said.

He said petroleum dealers and filling station owners are harassed in obtaining licences from various organisations, which often demand bribes from them.

Most petrol pumps in Bangladesh sell less than 2,000 litres of diesel per day on an average. So, their monthly income has increased by only Tk12,000 on average, with the Tk0.2 increase in commission, which is not sufficient to cover all the increased expenses, said Syed Sajjadul Karim Kabul.

Speakers at the press conference said the BPC had assured them of sufficient commission in a meeting on 6 January this year, but there was no result in this regard, so they have no option other than waging movements.

The petroleum dealers also demanded the government publish a gazette regarding the fuel oil commission for traders, cancel the system of leasing land for petrol pump entrances from the Roads and Highways Department, and allow setting up petroleum distribution businesses and filling stations with only trade and explosives licences.

They also demanded accident insurance for up to Tk5 lakh for tanker lorry workers, and adequate toilets and restrooms at all fuel depots for transportation workers, as promised by the prime minister.

Petrol Pump Owners' Association Senior Vice President, MA Momin, Vice Presidents Abdul Awal Jyoti and Mahbubul Alam, Joint Secretary General Sheikh Farhad and others, were present at the press conference.