The Petrol Pump and Tank Lorry Owners Okkya Parisad has suspended its nationwide strike following an assurance from the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) that the commission on fuel sales will be revised within 15 working days.
However, leaders of the pump owners’ association warned that if their other demands are not addressed within two months, they will resume their protest.
The decision came after a meeting between the Okkya Parisad and BPC Chairman Amin Ul Ahsan, held around 11 a.m. today at the BPC headquarters in Karwan Bazar, Dhaka.
The strike, which began at 6 a.m. on Sunday, was launched to press for a seven-point demand, including raising the fuel sales commission to 7 percent.
As part of the strike, petrol pumps across the country were shut down and fuel extraction and transportation from depots were halted until 2 p.m.
In response, BPC held emergency talks with fuel distributors to resolve the issue.
Among the key demands of the pump owners are:
- Maintaining the Roads and Highways Department’s lease fees at previous rates
- Considering pay orders submitted for road connection lease renewals as valid for renewal
- Cancelling BSTI-mandated underground tank calibration fees, dip rod inspection charges, and registration requirements
- Waiving license requirements from agencies such as the Department of Environment, BERC, Department of Factories and Establishments, and Fire Service for fuel pumps
- Stopping direct fuel sales by marketing companies without dealership agreements
- Simplifying and ensuring the issuance and renewal of driver licenses for tank lorry operators, and issuing inter-district route permits for all tank lorries
- Shutting down unauthorized and illegal sale of fuel using makeshift dispensing machines in open or residential areas
The pump owners emphasized that while they are suspending their strike in good faith, failure to meet their demands within the agreed time frame will lead to further action.