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| An Appeal from Chairman |
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| January 06, 2009 |
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Dear colleagues,
All of you are aware that Indian Oil Officers Association (IOOA) has given Strike Notice from 7th January 2009 on the issue of Pay Revision. In this regard, the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) has issued Guidelines for Pay Revision on 26th November 2008 after due consideration of the Report of Justice Rao Committee.
As envisaged in the DPE Guidelines of 26/11/08, a proposal was put up for Pay Revision of Executives in IndianOil to the Board of Directors in its meeting held on 29th December 2008. In our proposal, we tried to address the company-specific and sector-specific issues also in addition to DPE Guidelines. It is needless to mention that we were the first to go to our Board with the proposal on Pay Revision for Executives. After its due approval from the Board of Directors, the proposal along with the Board approval has been forwarded to the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas (MOP&NG) for their consideration and issue of Presidential Directives. MOP&NG, immediately on receiving the proposal from IndianOil, took up some of the issues which need the attention at Central level, with the Cabinet Secretary and Prime Minister’s Office.
Further, the Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas, along with Secretary, MOP&NG, met the Prime Minister on 2.1.2009 and apprised him about the concerns expressed by Oil Sector Officers with regard to the pay revision package as approved by the Government. The Prime Minister immediately directed that the Home Minister in consultation with the Minister (P&NG), Minister (Heavy Industry & Public Enterprises) and MOS (Expenditure Banking & Insurance Banking) in the Ministry of Finance, Shri Pawan Kumar Bansal, will examine the issues relating to pay revision in the Oil Sector and give recommendations in the matter. Secretary, Petroleum & Natural Gas, has also met the Home Minister on 4.1.2009 to apprise him about the issues raised by the Oil Sector Officers. The Home Minister has agreed to provide an opportunity of hearing to the representatives of the Oil Sector Officers and finalise the report within 30 days.
To apprise the representatives of Oil Sector Officers Associations on the above developments, and also to discuss the Pay Revision related issues further, Hon’ble Minister (MOP&NG) desired to have a meeting with OSOA representatives at 4 PM on 5th January 2009. However, this was declined by the Officers’ Associations. Similarly, I along with other Functional Directors, wanted to meet the Core Group of IOOA on 5th January 2009 which has also been declined by the Association. You would appreciate that any issue, however simple or complex it may be, can be sorted out only through discussions.
You are well aware that we are in the midst of unprecedented financial meltdown, which is affecting the economies of all nations. India is equally affected. The Government is trying its best on all fronts to overcome the situation. Oil Sector PSUs have a critical role in the nation’s fight to control the economic slowdown. Our financial position in terms of huge borrowings and liquidity crunch continues to be a matter of concern. While we should have been focusing on issues concerning the future of the Corporation and our role in building national economy, more of our energies are getting diverted to other issues. Any strike at this juncture will greatly impact not only the Corporation in physical and financial terms, but hinder the process of our nation’s economic recovery. This would certainly dent our reputation among our clients as a leading professional Corporation as well as spoil our image as responsible individuals before the nation. The need of the hour is to concentrate on cutting costs and optimising operations; and any agitation at this juncture would affect the productivity resulting in losses.
IndianOil has also taken the responsibility of organizing the mega event of the Oil Industry, i.e., PETROTECH-2009 Conference and Exhibition, from 11th to 15th January 2009. It is a global event and people from within the country as well as from across the globe would be participating. A large number of our Officers are engaged for more than a year in making various arrangements for this unique event. Strike at this juncture would definitely impact PETROTECH-2009 adversely and will bring down IndianOil’s image.
I have no doubt that the Government’s decision in appointing a Group of Ministers to look into the pay revision issues of Oil Sector is a very significant, positive move. It is unprecedented. It also signifies the Government’s desire at the highest levels to find a way to resolve these issues. In my view, we should be appreciative of these developments and respond positively by showing flexibility in our approach.
As I have shared with you on earlier occasions also, we have a duty to the nation and its people and to fulfill this duty we have taken the following measures to avoid a situation of disruption of petroleum supplies:
i) The Regional Labour Commissioner–Central, Mumbai is seized of the matter and has called the representatives of the officer’s associations and PSU managements for conciliation on 5th January at Mumbai. I have been informed that none of the IOOA’s representatives attended the Conciliation meeting.
ii) In view of the gravity of the situation, the Hon’ble High Court, Delhi, had earlier passed an ex-parte interim order restraining officers from strike so that supplies of petroleum products are not disrupted. This order continues to be in force. Any violation of the Court’s order would tantamount to Contempt of Court warranting initiation of legal proceedings.
In view of very positive developments that have taken place recently, I appeal to each officer of the IndianOil family and the Officers’ Association not to resort to agitation and to withdraw the strike notice. I do hope that all of you will give a thoughtful consideration to my appeal and desist from going on strike.
With best wishes,
Sarthak Behuria
Chairman |
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