Over 250 fuel tank drivers contracted by Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) for supplying fuel across Kerala have gone on a flash strike, refusing to load fuel from the company’s Irumbanam plant on Monday. They are demanding immediate implementation of favourable terms.
At present, only transporters engaged directly by dealers are filling fuel at the plant. The protesting drivers are not affiliated with any trade union. The initial round of discussions with BPCL representatives ended inconclusively. Drivers have submitted a 17-point charter of demands, which company sources said is under consideration to resolve the stalemate.
“Fuel filling at the plant has not been affected as dealers are taking delivery. Only contracted transporters are on strike,” company sources said.
Demands
Among the demands raised by the drivers are issuing bills for filling before 3 p.m. and completing billing before 5 p.m., along with resolving existing issues related to delays. “We report at the plant at 6 a.m. to take fuel loads. Thereafter, we are made to wait for hours before the load is filled in the evening. We then have to drive overnight to deliver the supply without adequate rest, which is dangerous considering the highly hazardous cargo we transport. The same routine repeats the next day when we report in the morning,” said driver Fazak Pookkoya Thangal.
The drivers also demand an end to alleged rude behaviour by security guards and office staff. They want arrangements to ensure deliveries closer to their homes on Saturdays. Drivers should be allowed to assist in filling if there is a staff shortage in the section. Delays in issuing invoices should be avoided, they said.
They further insist there should be no discrimination between tankers operated by dealers and those contracted. The practice of filling on Sundays to compensate for public holidays should be stopped. Deliveries should be assigned in a way that ensures that all transporters cover similar distances since pay is based on kilometres travelled. Resting facilities should be provided at the parking lot, with security guards deployed if necessary, according to the charter of demands.
Published – November 17, 2025 04:31 pm IST
