Hundreds of contract labourers have been protesting at the Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) Panipat Refinery and Petrochemical Complex in Baholi, Haryana, over alleged 12-hour shifts, unpaid overtime, delayed wages and lack of basic amenities. The agitation, which began earlier this week at the refinery’s expansion project, escalated into clashes with security personnel and police, leaving two Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel injured.
District authorities intervened and held talks with labour representatives, contractors and refinery management. While officials stated that several key demands had been accepted and assurances given, sections of the protesting workers insisted on written confirmation and direct commitments from senior IOCL officials before resuming work.
Clashes Erupt As Workers Press Core Demands
The protest, which started as a sit-in demonstration by contract workers engaged in the refinery’s expansion project, intensified when labourers blocked the approach road to the facility, drawing the attention of local police and CISF personnel deployed at the site.
According to reports, tensions flared after repeated attempts to persuade the demonstrators to clear the road failed, leading to a confrontation that saw stone-pelting and a subsequent police lathicharge. Two CISF personnel were reportedly injured in the clash, while several workers also sustained injuries in the melee.
At the heart of the unrest are longstanding grievances related to working conditions and wages. Workers allege that although they are routinely required to work 12-hour shifts, they are compensated for only eight hours, with no overtime pay for the additional four hours.
They have also raised concerns about delayed salary payments, unexplained wage deductions, and irregularities in provident fund contributions. In addition to financial issues, the labourers have highlighted the absence of essential facilities at the worksite including accessible toilets, drinking water stations, shaded rest areas and transportation within the refinery complex.
“We are not asking for luxuries, only our rightful dues and basic dignity,” several protestors were quoted as saying, emphasising that eight-hour shifts and overtime compensation are standard labour norms. Police officials, meanwhile, urged the workers to maintain peace and allow dialogue to take its course.
District authorities, led by the Deputy Commissioner, convened meetings involving labour representatives, contractors and refinery management to de-escalate tensions and chart a resolution. Officials stated that contractors had agreed in principle to key demands, including implementing eight-hour shifts and ensuring timely wage disbursal, though modalities were still being discussed.
Expansion Project Disruptions And Growing Distrust
The agitation is taking place at the Panipat Refinery and Petrochemical Complex in Baholi, approximately 100 kilometres from New Delhi. The refinery is among India’s major public sector energy installations and plays a crucial role in meeting the country’s fuel and petrochemical requirements. The current protest centres around workers engaged in a major expansion initiative, often referred to as the P-25 project, aimed at enhancing production capacity and upgrading infrastructure.
Sources indicate that dissatisfaction among contract workers had been building over several months, with complaints about extended working hours and substandard site facilities reportedly raised earlier as well. However, workers claim that their concerns were not adequately addressed, prompting the recent collective action. The immediate trigger appears to have been the alleged discrepancy between actual hours worked and wages paid, a matter that labourers say directly affects their livelihoods amid rising living costs.
After initial clashes earlier in the week, district officials claimed progress in negotiations, announcing that nine principal demands had been accepted by contractors and that written assurances would be provided. Yet, the protest saw renewed mobilisation as some workers expressed scepticism about whether these commitments would be implemented effectively. They reportedly sought direct confirmation from senior IOCL authorities and requested that agreements be publicly displayed to ensure transparency.
Refinery officials have maintained that the situation is being monitored closely and that management remains committed to resolving grievances through lawful and constructive engagement. Security presence at the site has been heightened to prevent further escalation, even as work on parts of the expansion project has reportedly been disrupted due to the agitation.
The episode has once again brought attention to the complex dynamics of contract labour in large public sector undertakings. While contractors are responsible for hiring and managing temporary or project-based workers, the scale and strategic importance of such installations often place the spotlight on principal employers when disputes arise.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The Panipat refinery unrest is not merely a localised labour dispute; it is a reminder of the human realities underpinning India’s industrial growth. Infrastructure expansion and economic development are undeniably important, yet they must be pursued in tandem with respect for labour rights and workplace dignity. An eight-hour workday, fair overtime pay, and access to basic amenities are not radical demands they are foundational principles of decent work recognised across the world.
Read more: “We Feel Your Pain”: PM Modi Reaffirms India’s Firm Stand With Israel After October 7 Terror Attack
