Digboi: Hundreds of contractual workers engaged under the Assam Oil Division (AOD) of Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) staged a sustained protest on Monday at the AOD administrative entrance in Tinsukia district’s Digboi, alleging prolonged non-payment of salaries. The agitation, which began in the morning, continued uninterrupted till the filing of this report.
According to reports, nearly 300 contractual workers deployed across multiple departments, including canteen, refinery electrical, transport drivers, laboratory, materials, and civil township, have not received their wages despite rendering regular services.
The situation escalated in the evening when protesters reportedly prevented administrative officials and staff from exiting the complex even after office hours had elapsed. The agitators formed a human wall at the exit gate, blocked the movement of officers and staff, and insisted on allowing no one to leave until the authorities paid the pending salaries.
The protesting workers alleged that the delay in salary disbursement is largely due to the engagement of outside contractors, a factor they claim has repeatedly led to such crises. They further pointed out that wage delays and labour unrest have become an almost regular phenomenon at IOCL Digboi, forcing contractual workers to take to the streets repeatedly to demand their rightful dues.
Sources said the AOD management agreed to make direct payments to the workers as an interim measure.
However, the workers rejected the proposal, saying that direct payment would deprive them of Provident Fund (PF) and other statutory benefits routed through the contractors’ firms.
Meanwhile, leaders of the contractual workers’ union engaged in discussions with the AOD management, and talks continued till the filing of this report.
The protest has assumed greater significance as it comes on the eve of Magh Bihu, one of Assam’s most important festivals.
Expressing deep anguish, an aggrieved contractual worker said, “Tomorrow is Magh Bihu, and till today our payments have been held up. This is not only an injustice to the workers but an insult to the sentiments of the Assamese people who are preparing to celebrate the festival.”
The demonstrators warned that they would intensify their agitation if authorities failed to address their long-pending demands immediately. The IOCL AOD management had not issued any official statement till the filing of this report.
Observers said that such recurring labour unrest harms the oil sector, as it disrupts production processes and may lead to output deficiencies, particularly at a heritage refinery like Digboi, which continues operations despite multiple operational and infrastructural challenges.