The Bangladesh Petrol Pump and Tank Lorry Owners Unity Council is observing a half-day nationwide strike on Sunday, to press for a 10-point set of demands.
The strike began at 6am and is set to continue until 2pm.
At a press briefing held on May 11, the council had warned of work abstention on 25 May (Sunday) if their demands were not fulfilled by 24 May (Saturday).
The Unity Council is a combined platform comprising the Bangladesh Petrol Pump Owners Association and the Bangladesh Tank Lorry Owners Association.
At around 9:30am, Joint Convener Mizanur Rahman confirmed to Prothom Alo that the strike had commenced as planned.
He added that the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) has called a meeting at 10am and the council will determine its next steps based on the outcome of that meeting.
As previously announced, fuel oil extraction, transportation and distribution have been suspended nationwide.
However, the supply of jet fuel for Hajj pilgrims and international flights remains uninterrupted.
Fuel supplies for ambulances and fire service vehicles are exempt from the strike, while police vehicles under fuel supply agreements are allowed to refuel at petrol stations.
The council’s 10-point demand includes: raising the fuel sales commission to at least 7%, maintaining existing lease fees set by the Roads and Highways Department, renewing pump access road leases upon submission of pay orders and applications, limiting BSTI’s role to verifying measurements and stamping fuel dispensers, eliminating fees and registrations for underground tank calibration and dip rod testing.
It also includes- lifting the requirement for environmental, factory and fire service licenses, banning unlicensed indoor and open-air fuel vending machines, halting direct oil sales by marketing companies without dealership and simplifying the licensing and renewal process for tank lorry drivers.
