Fuel traders went on an indefinite strike on Sunday (October 1) as the increase in commission rate on fuel sales fixed by the government has not yet been implemented.

Following the strike, fuel extraction from Padma, Meghna and Jamuna depots was halted and oil transportation in 15 districts was also suspended.

Bangladesh Tank-lorry Owners Association, Bangladesh Fuel Oil Distributors Association, Khulna Divisional Tank-lorry Sramik Union and Padma Meghna and Jamuna Tank-lorry Sramik Kalyan Samity have been observing the strike since morning.

Bangladesh Tank Lorry Owners Association Secretary General Sheikh Farhad Hossain confirmed the matter.

He said on September 23, the government published a gazette fixing the new rates. But when we go to buy oil, the companies are not giving fuel at that rate. The companies say the government-fixed rates are yet to reach them.

As a result, the extraction of fuel from three state-owned depots in Khulna has been stopped and the supply of fuel has been stopped in 10 districts of Khulna division and in Faridpur, Gopalganj, Madaripur, Rajbari, and Shariatpur districts, he said.

"Until the new rates come into effect, we won't supply fuel," he added.

On September 3, fuel oil traders stopped oil extraction to press home their three-point demand. After the assurance of the government, they finally called off the strike.

On September 26, the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources issued a notification increasing the commission.

According to the gazette, the dealers will get 2.85 percent commission on sales of per litre diesel while 4.28 percent for per litre octane, 4.34 percent for per litre petrol, and 2 percent for per litre kerosene.

BDST: 1712 HRS, OCT 1, 2023
MSK/SMS