BPCL workers’ associations boycott VRS scheme, to hold 2-day flash strike

• All our members are advised not to opt for VRS scheme proposed by the management of BPCL, a circular by an all-India committee of BPCL workers said

• It has been decided to go for two-day flash strike all over India to protest against management of BPCL…and we are also opposing the privatisation of BPCL, the circular said

New Delhi: Opposing the VRS (voluntary retirement scheme) offered by the BPCL management recently, an all-India committee of workers at state-run BPCL has decided to hold a two-day flash strike and has advised its members against opting for the VRS scheme, which they said lacked clarity on wage settlement. "All unions of Marketing, Mumbai and Kochi Refinery in their video-conferencing meeting held on Friday (July 24), unanimously decided to intensify the agitation and non-cooperation movement. It has also been decided to go for two-day flash strike all over India to protest against management of BPCL…and we are also opposing the privatisation of BPCL," said the All India Coordination Committee of BPCL Workers in a circular to its members.

"All our members are advised not to opt for VRS scheme proposed by the management of BPCL," the circular said.

'BPCL VRS scheme offers no clarity on wage settlement'

"Workmen will not get a clear idea about their financial package. It is also not sure whether any wage settlement will be signed before privatisation. You should not fall prey to the imaginary financial package shown by the management. We want real figure to advise our members," the committee said.

The wage agreement expired on December 31, 2016 in Mumbai Refinery, May 31, 2018 in Marketing and July 31, 2018 on Kochi Refinery but till now there is no settlement, it added.

The backdrop

The BPCL management has offered its employees above the age of 45 years the option to opt for VRS. The scheme opened on July 23 and is open till August 13, PSU Watch had reported earlier. The BPCL employees opting for VRS would receive a compensation payment equivalent to two months' salary for each completed year of service or the monthly salary at the time of voluntary retirement, multiplied by the balance months of service left before normal date of retirement on superannuation, whichever is less. "Compensation for any part period served in a year will be worked out on pro-rata basis. The salary drawn as on date of release shall be reckoned for this purpose," the VRS document said.

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