by Brian Tissera
The agreement signed between the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) and the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) on February 7, 2003, for the management of the tank farm at China Bay, has triggered a strike by the CPC staff attached to the China Bay tank farm.

This has resulted in fuel supplies, required by the security forces and the civilian population of the North and East, not leaving the CPC premises on schedule. At the time of writing the tanker MT Ramboda was non-operational and tied up at the CPC’s Trinco-malee jetty, a spokesman said.

CPC Chairman Daham Wimalas-ena, when contacted by The Island, confirmed that the workers at China Bay were on strike due to being un-happy with certain changes affected to hand over the management of the farm to the IOC. Discussions are currently in progress to settle the outstanding issues as early as possible.

According to sources congregating outside the main gate of the CPC tank farm at China Bay, the agreement signed on February 7 was officially intimated to them on February 14 when a letter from the CPC Chairman was handed over to the CPC’s China Bay Operations Manager, D. Corea requesting him to hand over the management of the farm of nearly 100 tanks together with all the employees numbering around 200 to the IOC.

The lease agreement is for a period of 35 years and the IOC representative Arumugam was also to be provided with the office facilities hitherto used by Corea.

Corea handed over the management of the tank farm and his office as well to Arumugam in accordance with the instructions of the CPC Chairman.

However, the staff at China Bay were not satisfied with the clarification provided by IOC regarding their status with regard to transfers, promotions, medical facilities and the voluntary retirement scheme (VRS) which is available to all employees of CPC except the staff at China Bay, a spokesman for the workers said.

Due to the uncertainty caused by the sudden change, the workers asse-mbled at the main gate of the China Bay premises and have refused to commence work until their demands are met.

This situation arose during the morning of Saturday February 15 and is continuing. The JSS branch members have joined up together with the trade union members of the PA in an attempt to sort out the problem.

A member of the strikers said that the supply of fuel to areas covering the North and East will extend upto Habarana will be effected if action is not taken immediately.

When contacted Arumugam declined to comment, while Corea was not contactable.