Khulna fuel traders strike demanding commission hike

Fuel oil traders of Khulna has been observing a 12-hour strike since morning in order to press home their three-point demand including increased commission and tank-lorry rents.

As a result, extraction and supply of fuel oil from Padma, Meghna and Jamuna oil depots has been suspended from 6am, reports our Khulna correspondent.

The strike is scheduled to continue till 6pm today.

Bangladesh Tank lorry Owners Association, Bangladesh Fuel Oil Distributors' Association and four other organisations are taking part in the strike.

"The commission for selling fuel oil must be increased proportionately with the price. Otherwise, we won't be able to survive," said Sheikh Murad Hossain, general secretary of Khulna divisional committee of Bangladesh Fuel Oil Distributors' Association.

"We are observing a symbolic strike for 12 hours. The extraction of fuel oil from three state-owned depots in Khulna has been suspended and the supply of fuel oil to 10 districts of Khulna division and four districts of greater Faridpur has halted," he added.

However, fuel is being sold in different petrol pumps across the city.

Oil extraction from the depots of Rajshahi and Rangpur divisions has also been halted in solidarity with the strike, Sheikh Murad Hossain claimed.