Workers affiliated to five unions will boycott the inauguration of the Propylene Derivatives Petrochemicals Project at Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd. (BPCL) by Prime Minister Narendra Modi here on Sunday in protest against the disinvestment of the public-sector company.
The unions said in a release here on Friday that the inauguration of the project despite the start of production in the plants is aimed at cashing in on the Assembly election due in the State. The workers affiliated to Cochin Refineries Workers’ Association (CITU); Cochin Refineries Employees Association (INTUC); Refinery Employees Union (KR); Kochi Refinery General Construction Workers Union (CITU); and Kochi Refinery General Construction Workers Congress (INTUC) will boycott the programme.
The unions alleged that the Prime Minister was adopting double standards by dedicating a project to the nation while going ahead with its disinvestment process. The Union Budget had reiterated that the sale would be complete in the 2021-22 financial year, it said.
Pay revision
The salary revision of the BPCL employees remained pending owing to the conditions prescribed by the management.
The conditions were laid down to aid the sale of the company, according to the union representatives. They also alleged that appointments had come to a halt following the decision to disinvest the company. There was manpower shortage in operating the plants, they said.
You have reached your limit for free articles this month.
Subscription Benefits Include
Today's Paper
Find mobile-friendly version of articles from the day's newspaper in one easy-to-read list.
Unlimited Access
Enjoy reading as many articles as you wish without any limitations.
Personalised recommendations
A select list of articles that match your interests and tastes.
Faster pages
Move smoothly between articles as our pages load instantly.
Dashboard
A one-stop-shop for seeing the latest updates, and managing your preferences.
Briefing
We brief you on the latest and most important developments, three times a day.
Support Quality Journalism.
*Our Digital Subscription plans do not currently include the e-paper, crossword and print.
A letter from the Editor
Dear subscriber,
Thank you!
Your support for our journalism is invaluable. It’s a support for truth and fairness in journalism. It has helped us keep apace with events and happenings.
The Hindu has always stood for journalism that is in the public interest. At this difficult time, it becomes even more important that we have access to information that has a bearing on our health and well-being, our lives, and livelihoods. As a subscriber, you are not only a beneficiary of our work but also its enabler.
We also reiterate here the promise that our team of reporters, copy editors, fact-checkers, designers, and photographers will deliver quality journalism that stays away from vested interest and political propaganda.
Suresh Nambath
