Clashes halt work at Indian Oil’s Panipat refinery as labour protest intensifies

Tension continued for the third consecutive day at the Indian Oil Corporation Limited refinery in Panipat on Wednesday as contract labourers intensified their protest, leading to clashes with police and a complete halt in construction work.

The unrest escalated when workers blocked the refinery road and staged a sit-in demonstration.

Police and administrative officials attempted to persuade the protesters to clear the road, but the situation turned volatile. Stone-pelting was reported during the confrontation, after which police resorted to a lathi-charge to disperse the crowd.

One worker reportedly suffered a fractured arm and was taken to the hospital.

Heavy police deployment has been made at all refinery gates, with reinforcement from the Central Industrial Security Force. Senior administrative and police officials remain stationed at the site and are holding discussions with worker representatives and contractors.

Labourers have said they will resume work only after receiving written assurance that their demands will be met. As a result, key construction activities, including the refinery’s P-25 project, remain stalled.

The protest began on Monday when thousands of workers clashed with security personnel, damaged vehicles, and forced CISF personnel to resort to aerial firing. Since then, the situation around the refinery has remained tense.

The workers are demanding that duty hours be reduced from 12 hours to 8 hours, salaries be paid between the 1st and 7th of each month, and wages be fixed as per IOCL board rates.

They have also sought compensation and a job for a family member in case of a worker’s death in an accident, double payment for overtime, recognition of national and international holidays, duty limited to 26 days a month, better hospital, canteen, drinking water and toilet facilities, proper provident fund deductions, ESI cards, and action including FIR and blacklisting of contractors who fail to comply.