Petroleum Tanker Drivers Association agrees to withdraw protest following four-point agreement

The Nepal Petroleum Tanker Drivers Association has decided to withdraw its protest, with the signing of a four-point agreement with the government.

A meeting between the Association and the Nepal Oil Corporation that took place at the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies today ended with the agreement, according to NOC Spokesperson, Manoj Thakur.

NOC Board of Directors Chair and Commerce Secretary, Dinesh Kumar Ghimire, was present in the dialogue and NOC Executive Director Dr Chandika Prasad Bhatta and Association Chair Ishwor Lama signed the agreement on behalf of their respective sides.

This development is expected to ease the supply of petroleum products in the Kathmandu Valley, which was hampered due to the protest of the Association.

The Association had decided to disrupt the supplies on Sunday, putting forth a seven-point demand.

The demands include appointment letters as ensured by the Labour Act, remunerations as fixed by the government, risk allowance, safety alert training in every three months, and their involvement in the Social Security fund among others.

As per the agreement, a sub-committee is to be formed under the coordination of the NOC Deputy Executive Director to present a report regarding the demands of the Association and other relevant issues within the next 15 days. The committee has the representations from the Ministry, Association, the Independent Transport Workers Association of Nepal and the All Nepal Petroleum Workers' Union.