ONGC Ankleshwar unit workers protest contract system

Close on the heels of contract labourers protesting at the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) facility at Vadodara, about 226 contract workers of ONGC Ankleshwar stayed away from the interview procedure that started from Monday.

The contract workers of ONGC in Gujarat are demanding permanent employment as per directions given by the Ministry of Labour on December 21.

ONGC had employed 577 workers on contract for four years in 1999. When the contract was complete, these workers moved the labour court. The issue is in front of regional labour commissioner (RLC).

ONGC had insisted on interviewing all workers again before renewing the contracts. However, the workers are demanding direct renewals. ONGC had begun holding interviews at Ankleshwar starting from Monday and will continue until Wednesday.

"We are opposing the interview procedure initiated by ONGC authorities in better interests of workers. The labour ministry has already given direction to the Industrial Tribunal Court to bring the conclusion as soon as possible. We demand the permanent employment for the workers and other benefits available to the company workers," said Janak Soni, joint secretary, Employees Mazdoor Sabha (EMS), an association of workers.

So far we have been successful in staying away from the interview schedules announced by the ONGC in Vadodara, added Soni.

Earlier, EMS had given notice to authorities to call indefinite strike from December 20 that was canceled later.

"After working for over four years for ONGC we should get permanent employment. At the same time the HR policy of the organization also has not defined the role and term of the contract workers clearly," said Soni.