IOC strike: Talks fail, trucks to be seized

PARIPALLY: The government Friday decided to seize the trucks so that there will be no shortage of cooking gas during the Onam season. The strike started by the workers of the Indian Oil’s Corporation plant in Parippally entered the fourth day. The talks to end the strike held in the presence of Labour Minister Shibu Baby John failed yesterday. The talks failed due to the absence of the representatives of the truck contractors.

A second round of talks held between the collector and the truck contractors also failed. After the failure of the talks, Minister Shibu Baby John directed transport commissioner to seize the trucks under ESMA. Shortage of cylinders was affected in southern districts of Kerala.

An amount of Rs 10,000 and Rs 5200 were given to the truck drivers and cleaners last year as bonus. The union demanded Rs 15,000 and 7500 as bonus this year, but the contractors disagreed to it. As the talks failed, the contractors were not willing to pay the same amount given last year even after the minister directed it.

The minister later directed the IOC management to provide the amount. But the representatives of the management refused to give that amount.

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